Two reanimated corpses, dependent on each other for survival, live a life of solitude until a power-hungry magistrate tricks a group of villagers into attacking their lonely castle, fulfilling an ancient prophecy: The Orgy of Blood.
Starring: Jerry Bell Jr., Aaron Booth, and Randolph F. Christen
Directed and written by: Jesse Blanchard
A Fantasia International Film Festival Review
There are several famous puppet pairings, but probably none like “Frank & Zed.” Frank and Zed are monsters, and more importantly best friends. They’re left in a big castle to take care of each other after the townspeople did away with their master and creator centuries ago. Frank goes into the surrounding forest to hunt animals for Zed to eat, while Zed helps make any repairs Frank may need. Apparently this has gone on day after day until one day one of the villagers spots Frank in the forest, and makes it back to the village to confirm evil still exists in the castle.
It definitely turns out to be bad timing because there are changes going on in the village. The King has just past away, and his son and heir isn’t exactly the best puppet to take over. The villagers have been protected by this family for what seems like forever, but now they fear evil will return with the bloodline ending. One of the King’s men decides to take advantage of the situation to take the throne, and prove his worth by getting rid of the evil…Frank and Zed!
“Frank & Zed” took over six years to make, and the audience will see exactly why. They cut no corners in trying to make the puppets do everything they possibly could in order to pull this off. There’s no greater evidence of that then in this epic final battle scene. The villagers come face-to-face with Frank and Zed, and even themselves in a wild fight for survival. There are twists and turns, high drama, arms torn off, and even intestines pulled out. That’s right, no puppet stuffing, but puppet intestines!
Everything obviously starts with Frank and Zed. At first glance, it’s hard to believe anyone could come to love them. Zed is actually a pretty creepy looking puppet, and Frank will easily remind any horror fan of Frankenstein. However the longer the audience sees them support each other and later fight for each other, the more their bond will rub off on the audience. It makes every minute of the ending mean so much more. Frank and Zed are clearly the monsters at the start of the film, but not the only ones by the end.
It’s hard to believe a film filled with puppets could be known for gore, but “Frank & Zed” proves it can happen! Frank and Zed are monsters in appearance, but best friends at heart. Sure the audience will be watching how everything ticks with them like Zed fixing Frank’s parts, Frank throwing axes at animals, or characters tripping over things. Fans will definitely be clued to the fighting and deaths in a final battle that seemed like it would never end, which is fine! To top all that goodness off the film opens with a bloody puppet short, and the ending credits take the audience behind the scenes. With that, I give this film 4 pools of blood for everything mentioned, and showing the dedication to spend six plus years making it!
HorrO
“Frank & Zed” is playing as part of the 2021 Fantasia Film Festival.
More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/08/03/focus-on-fantasia-2021-frank-zed/
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