‘War has just evolved’
Redcon-1 is a 2018 British science fiction action horror film produced and directed by Chee Keong Cheung from a screenplay co-written with Steve Horvath and Mark Strange. The Apocalypse Pictures production stars Akira Koieyama, Bentley Kalu, Katarina Leigh Waters and Oris Erheuro.
Plot:
After a zombie apocalypse spreads from a London prison, the UK is “brought to its knees”. The spread of the virus is temporarily contained but, without a cure, it’s only a matter of time before it breaks its boundaries and the biggest problem of all… any zombies with combat skills are now enhanced.
With the South East of England quarantined from the rest of the world using fortified borders, intelligence finds that the scientist responsible for the outbreak is alive and well in London.
With his recovery being the only hope of a cure, a squad of eight Special Forces soldiers is sent on a suicide mission to the city, now ruled by the undead, with a single task: get him out alive within 72 hours by any means necessary. What emerges is an unlikely pairing on a course to save humanity against ever-rising odds…
Reviews:
“Weariness sets in well before the onscreen counter ticks down to a damp squib of an apocalyptic finish. Despite lashings of bright red gore and the obvious enthusiasm of its gibbering hordes, Redcon-1 is a hard slog. Nearly two hours of grunts vs zombies feels punitive.” Empire
“It peaks too soon. After the relentless, jugular-targeting confrontations of its first hour, the film’s invention and force can be felt bleeding out over the protracted second. Yet, this director is still capable of reaching deep into his tombola of tropes and pulling out a funny, bleak, original image.” The Guardian
“The film has no emotional resonance whatsoever. It is frequently crass and very derivative, but the filmmakers’ enthusiasm levels never flag. Nor, it goes without saying, does the bloodletting.” The Independent
“Action sequences are top-notch. But overall, this is not a very memorable infected thriller. Instead, this is more flash and sizzle – with Redcon-1 only really standing out for its long runtime of two hours. The film is a bit of a slog for the soldiers and sometimes even for the viewer.” 28 Days Later Analysis
Release:
Redcon-1 was released on Blu-ray and DVD in the UK by 101 Films on 25 February 2019.
Cast and characters:
- Oris Erhuero … Captain Marcus Stanton
- Carlos Gallardo … Sergeant Frederick Reeves
- Mark Strange … Lieutenant Frank Perez
- Katarina Leigh Waters … Sergeant Kira Paige
- Martyn Ford … Corporal Jacob Gallagher
- Joshua Dickinson … Private Perry Bernstein
- Ellie Moon … Pip
- Michael Sheehan … Lieutenant Rodrigo Gonzalez
- Akira Koieyama … Lieutenant Simon Lau
- Euan Macnaughton … Major General Charles Smith
- Marc Baylis … Rowan
- Douglas Russell … Ivan Gavric
- Madeleine Kelly … Rachel
- Lyndsay Fielding … Jennifer Stanton
- Robert Goodale … Doctor Julian Raynes
Filming locations:
- The Barrowlands, The Gallowgate, Glasgow
- McGowan House, Ardeer, North Ayrshire
- Rochdale, Lancashire
Release:
Redcon-1 was released in select British cinemas from 28th September 2018, courtesy of 101 Films and Intense Distribution.
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