Nacht der lebenden Loser, Die
Night of the Living Dorks

http://www.loser-special.film.de/***
Anchor Bay

Review by Larry Stanley

Director: Mathias Dinter

Written by: Mathias Dinter
With: Tino Mewes Manuel Cortez Thomas Schmieder Collien Fernandes Hendrik Borgmann Nadine Germann Patricia Thielemann

This one came in with "Devils Den" and I put it off until last, just because. Almost sorry I did that; it turns out "Night of the Living Dorks" is actually quite a funny film. It originally came out in Germany about the same time as "Shaun of the Dead" and somehow got missed by a lot of people. I wonder why?
Anyway, from the DVD case, I was certain that I was dealing with a comedy. I'm perceptive that way. The idea behind the film was obvious. A horror comedy, with more comedy then horror, and only a few scenes that might even be construed as scary.
Sure, there was some gore but not an outrageous amount so a lot of blood and guts freaks will be unhappy. However, there are a few nude scenes so that helps.
The film tries in some ways to tie in with the classic Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" even though the only thing they really have in common is Zombies and the consumption of human flesh. As I said, it is more a humorous take and not the look into racial or sexual paranoia that the original tried to look at.
Here, the director is trying more to look at the idea of what it might be like to be a teen-ager who is aware that they are turning into a Zombie. What would they do, how would they react?
Well, if you are a nerd who keeps a notebook of all the times you have been beaten up since kindergarten, you might try to get even with your bullies. A geek who is awkward around girls might try to use his newfound strength and stamina to win at sports to impress the 'hot-chick' in school.
In addition, if you are a horny teenage boy with the ultra-hots for a certain blond teacher, you might try to impress her by your ability to 'speak French' for about ten minutes under water. Without breathing, ahem. Many middle-aged men would like this talent even now.
The problems arise when the nerd of the group, Konrad, decides to get even with all the people who have bullied him throughout school. He takes to his human smorgasbord like Jeffrey Dahmer at a basketball game.
As Konrad attempts to devour his past torturers, Philip (geek) and Wurst (horny) try to use their powers for their intended use (i.e.: to get laid) while at the same time trying to prevent Konrad from eating the entire school, cafeteria workers, gym teachers and students included.
But one of the massive drawbacks seems to be for Philip that certain 'parts' keep falling off at the wrong moment and have to be stapled back on.
While this is going on, Philip has a next-door neighbor, someone he has known all his life who is into Goth, death and somewhat Satanic rituals which is what got our heroes into this mess in the first place. While attending one of the rituals in the hope of getting a love potion to use on hot-chick Uschi played by Nadine Germann who I am sorry, just didn't do it for me, accidentally get dosed with the ashes of a real live (Heehee) Zombie. This causes some funny stuff in a morgue and gives the boys some consternation at first.
These kids are what they are, a bunch of teenage characters that are, if unintentionally doing so, growing up. Yes, they are faced with some wacky situations. Like finding virgins blood somewhat in town, from the mall to the Nunnery. I was laughing my butt off.
The main interest in their lives at this point is booze, boobies and the notorious ganja weed. Which is also something many middle-aged men will have in common with the guys in this film.
Don't look for any subtle ideas in this one. It is plain out what it is, a goofy, teen driven story about the young undead.
I didn't know most of the cast, but I found them to be not just adequate in their roles but exceptional in most of them.
Sissi Perlinger played Philips way to comfortable discussing his sexual problems mother in a funny and downright casual way. God knows, I would have hated to have her for a mom. However, I think I would also have liked having someone that casual around me when I was growing up.
The other two exceptional actresses were Collien Fernandes as Philips neighbor and friend Rebecca. And for the love of all that is holy, why in the name of God would you turn your nose up at this girl for Uschi? I mean, Fernandes is miles beyond Germann (I'm sorry) and light years out of the league of Philip. Still, love is blind.
Thank god.
Finally, hats off to Patricia Thielemann as Frau Niedermacher, blond bombshell and the teacher most of us wish we had had. Especially middle-aged men. More interested in remembering her high school years of group sex and outrageously good pot then in teaching, she brings out the Wurst. Sorry.
Look, this is not one of the best films in the genre. Nevertheless, it is way above most of them, so try it when you see it. I think you will be happy.
The film runs at just over 90 Minutes and comes in Widescreen Anamorphic format (does anyone outside of the film industry really know what that means? Or cares?) at 1.85:1 and is, of course in color.
The DVD has subtitles for English and German, with Dolby Digital 5.1 on the German track and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo on the English.
Also, there are 'Fun Scenes', deleted and extended scenes and an alternative ending which I actually preferred. There are also the standard 'behind the scenes' features. Plus, you get trailers.