BOOOOOM!
There was a huge explosion caused by a Focus Blast from Keldeo.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
Go on. . . go on. . .go on. . .
Keldeo activated his Secret Sword and swung it, causing a flash of light.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
Go on. . . go on. . .go on. . .
Kyurem the Critic gave a genuine smile as he watched a slideshow of highlights from his reviews.
Spike the Snob tipped his black top hat.
I'LL FACE IT WITH A GRIN!
"NO SHIP, SHERLOCK!" Intoxiquer the Crobat shouted in Genesect's face.
I'M NEVER GIVING IN!
ON WITH THE SHOW!
Meloetta sat down with Madoka the Fennekin and Damian the Meloetta on either side of her.
Imperator Justinian shook Keldeo's forehoof.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
Go on. . . go on. . .go on. . .
Arceus the Critic glared at Mew as she floated near a stone replica of him.
"SHUT UP!" shouted Anthony the Zoroark and Ian the Lucario.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
Go on. . . go on. . .go on. . .
Ryu Taylor the ferret and bent water into a small stream and spun it around to slap each of the Mane Six in the face.
I'LL TOP THE BILL, I'LL OVERKILL!
Jack Storm sprung awake and jumped onto his feet, wearing his robes and ready for battle.
Matthais Unidostres and BrickBrony1894 bro-hoofed.
I HAVE TO FIND THE WILL TO CARRY ON!
On. . . with the show. . .
On. . . with the show. . .
"FORESHADOWING!" Munna exclaimed.
"V-WHEEEEEEEL!" Victini exclaimed.
"MUSIC!" Floyd the Pichu shouted while holding his guitar high.
"RAAAAR!" Zoroark roared comically as he held his arms up and shook them.
SHOW!
Keldeo stood up on his hindlegs in his Resolute Form, his Secret Sword shining brightly.
The show must go on!
Go on. . . go on. . . go on. . . go on. . .go on. . .go on. . .
Keldeo the Critic- Season Seven
Episode 4: Is Night of the Zoopocalypse a PERFECT Zombie Movie?
"It's me! Keldeo the Critic! I review it so you don't have to!" Keldeo said with a smile, "If you're a fan of animation, you might have seen a trailer or two for a movie called Night of the Zoopocalypse."
One night, a meteor crashes into Colepepper Zoo unleashing a virus that transforms the animals into strange and hilarious slobbering zombie mutants. Gracie, a young quirky wolf, teams up with a gruff and fearsome mountain lion to find a way back to her pack. As the zoo is overrun, they must come up with a plan to get all the animals back to normal. Together with the help of a motley crew of survivors – Xavier the movie-obsessed lemur, Frida the fiery capybara, Ash the sarcastic, fabulous ostrich and Felix the treacherous monkey – they embark on a perilous mission to rescue the zoo and defeat Bunny Zero, the deranged mutant-king, determined to spread the virus beyond the zoo walls. Welcome to… night of the zoopocalypse!
"Many people are comparing this to the game Zoochosis, calling it a PG version of the game with talking animals," Keldeo explained, "But for the record, this movie's plot actually came first as a Lookbook called Night of the Zoombies by Leveller Media 3 years ago, 2 years before Zoochosis. Anyway, the movie will hit theaters on March 7, 2025."
Keldeo looked disappointed, "This kinda stinks, because this would have been a perfect Halloween movie. I guess the film got delayed. Anyway, the reason I'm talking about this is because, in my opinion. Night of the Zoopocalypse might be the first flawless zombie movie."
Keldeo held up a hoof and said, "Now, all you zombie film fans might be confused by this. We'll, I'll try to explain. You see, I don't like zombie films. I actually kinda hate them to be honest. That's because in every zombie film I've come across, there have been these clear fatal flaws that make them just unpleasant for me. 6 of them to be precise, and were going to go over them right now. But before we start, keep in mind that not every zombie movie has all six of these flaws, so please don't get mad and point out films that don't have one or two of these flaws. I know. But most zombie films have way too many of these to be accessible to the average person. So let's get on with it."
1. Unlikable Protagonists
"In zombie movies, protagonists can often feel overly cynical, abrasive, or emotionally flat. Whether they're hardened survivors with harsh personalities, apathetic bystanders, or downright selfish, these characters make it hard for the audience to empathize or root for them. An unlikable protagonist creates an emotional barrier for the audience. Without someone to care about, the stakes feel lower. If the characters are jerks, why should I care if their brains get eaten?"
Keldeo sighed, "Look, I get it. Filmmakers often try to depict how harsh and inhuman people might become during an apocalypse. However, they sometimes go overboard. Writers may also see the zombie genre as an opportunity to experiment with flawed characters, but without enough nuance, these characters can easily veer into unpleasant territory without ever becoming redeemable."
Keldeo stomped his hoof and said, "Again, many zombie stories do have likable characters. Like Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us Part One. But remember, I said there were 6 major flaws. Let's keep going."
2. Too Much Gore
"Look, I get it, they're zombies. I know it sounds stupid to complain about zombies being gorey. . . But doesn't excessive gore create a barrier to entry for anyone who wants to experience the story? Some zombie films overdo it, letting bloodshed eclipse all other story elements. Excessive gore can turn off viewers and undermine tension. If every moment is a brutal, visceral display, it can numb the audience to horror, creating more of a spectacle than genuine fear. True horror relies on suspense, on what's unseen as much as what's shown. When gore is constant, it leaves little room for the story, reducing characters and plot points to mere set-ups for the next stomach-churning moment. Instead of enhancing the horror, overused gore often trivializes it. It's like how jumpscares aren't real horror. It's lazy shock value, not actual crafted horror."
3. Focus on Surviving Instead of Living
"Many zombie films focus intensely on raw survival—food, shelter, and weapons—without any exploration of emotional survival or personal goals beyond staying alive. Characters are usually consumed with staying safe, and rarely is there any discussion about what they want their lives to mean or become. Survival is fine, but if there's no broader reason for it, what's the point? It's like that line from Wall-E. Remember the captain: 'I don't want to survive, I want to live.' Watching characters scavenge, fight, and endure hardship with no larger purpose can leave the audience feeling empty, making it harder to stay invested. Characters are just locked in survival mode without moving forward."
Keldeo huffed and said, "So you built a shack and got a bunch of canned foods. Great. Enjoy your miserable existence!"
4. Lack of a Central Antagonist to Defeat
"In zombie movies, zombies are often portrayed as a faceless, nameless horde rather than a concrete enemy with a personality or agenda. Without a central antagonist, the zombies become more of an environmental hazard than a true villain. A lack of a central antagonist can make the conflict feel passive and aimless. With a villain or central antagonist, there's usually a climactic showdown, a goal to be reached, or a final victory that can give the story satisfying closure. When the enemy is simply hordes of the undead, there's no clear endgame. The tension begins to wear thin as the characters continuously fend off more of the same threat without a way to decisively confront or overcome it. Filmmakers may want to show that the apocalypse is a hopeless situation where no one's in control, reflecting an 'us versus the world' concept. But with no bad guy, the story becomes a lot less compelling."
Keldeo rolled his eyes and said, "Even worse is when the film gives us these random villains that have no business being evil in this situation. Crazy factions who are so busy fighting each other or normal people, or trying to profit during an apocalypse. It's so dumb. Even worse than that are crazy individuals who are obsessed with their own petty desires when they should be focused on the disaster instead. It's just so frustrating. Forget your little drama, focus on preserving your species!"
5. Feelings of Nihilism or That Nothing Matters
"Many zombie films convey a tone of nihilism, where characters believe that nothing matters because the world has ended. There's an overarching sense that survival is pointless since humanity is doomed anyway. Nihilism can quickly drain the life from a narrative, as it undermines the characters' motivations and actions. If nothing matters, why should the audience care? It's the end of the world, the few humans left will die out soon enough, so who cares? Such a worldview in a story can come across as bleak, making the movie feel emotionally hollow or even depressing. Rather than engaging the audience, nihilism often alienates them, as it takes away the hope, purpose, and triumph that make survival stories compelling. It's an attempt to convey how a zombie apocalypse would affect people's mental states, causing them to question the point of survival. But without any hope, the film can leave the audience emotionally cold or even demoralized, making the experience feel more like a dirge than an engaging story."
6. Lack of a Clear Solution or End Goal
"Zombie movies often lack a clear objective or 'win condition' for the protagonists. Without a known cure, sanctuary, or escape plan, characters are trapped in a cycle of running and hiding with no destination. Stories are most compelling when there's a clear end goal—a place characters can reach or a goal they can accomplish. Without it, the film feels directionless and endless, creating a sense of narrative stasis where characters are just spinning their wheels in the same dangerous situations. Viewers may feel like the story isn't progressing, leading to frustration and impatience. An undefined end goal makes it hard to build to a satisfying climax, often resulting in endings that feel abrupt or incomplete."
Keldeo frowned, "The Last of Us Part One should have had an alternate ending where Ellie does sacrifice herself to cure the zombie virus. Let the player decide. I know this is my opinion, but the ending we got isn't very satisfying. It's just them driving off to fight more zombies or raiders or whatever. And The Last of Us Part Two was horrible garbage anyway, so let's not even talk about it here."
Keldeo brightened up and said, "Alright then, so what makes Night of the Zoopocalypse a perfect zombie movie? Well, it happens to avoid all 6 of these fatal flaws. Let me show you. Oh, and by the way, if you want a good English trailer for this movie, watch the one uploaded by the YouTuber Cynthia Benites. She must have connections, because she's the only one who uploaded it, you can't find it anywhere else."
Keldeo had a big smile on his face as he says, "Alright. So, Gracie the quirky wolf, is immediately likable. She's young, adventurous, and clearly motivated to reunite with her pack. I mean, seriously, just watch the trailer, she's adorable! With her eyes and paws and lanky legs. She's got a southern accent, and calls out her moves, she is precious! The comment section is filled with people who love her."
"She's also paired with a diverse team of personalities—each unique and memorable in ways that make it easy to connect with them. The supporting cast, from the gruff mountain lion to the sarcastic ostrich, make the group really endearing. Kind of like the Guardians of the Galaxy. These are characters that audiences will root for, especially given their unique traits, flaws, and quirks that add depth to their personalities."
"Next up, instead of grotesque gore, the film uses mutant animals with exaggerated features, absurd slobbering, and strange transformation. That does not mean the zombies are not scary. In fact, the film does a good job in building up the horror of these things. Instead of being gore, the zombie animals are these gelatinous, twisted, uncanny creatures. Like, they're dissolving into something alien. Also, they've got glowing pupil-less eyes that pop out. Also, there's multiple kinds. There's the small fast ones that sitter through the vents. Medium sized ones that charge at the heroes mindlessly. And then we've got that zombie elephant that could crush them all instantly."
Keldeo nodded excitedly and continued, "And there is suspense, like the eerie silence and dripping when Gracie first discovers the zombies, or the tense scene in the ball-pit. This movie will have scares and dread in it."
"And, of course, Gracie's goal isn't merely survival but a journey to reunite with her pack and restore the animals to their normal selves. Her motivations go beyond basic survival, giving the story an emotional drive. The film centers on the relationships and personalities of the animals, adding layers of friendship, loyalty, and even rivalry to the mission, which shifts the focus toward living meaningfully even in the midst of chaos. By introducing a clear mission—to rescue the zoo and return the animals to their normal states—the story emphasizes a hopeful purpose. Each character brings unique skills and perspectives, giving them individual motivations and emotional stakes beyond just staying alive. This approach adds a 'life worth living' theme, making the adventure not just about escaping danger but achieving a goal that matters to each of them."
Keldeo grinned widely, "And then we got Bunny Zero! Thank you! We don't see much if him during the trailer, but I can tell that he's gonna be an awesome villain. Bunny Zero is the force driving the chaos, with an agenda to spread the virus beyond the zoo. This gives Gracie and her allies a concrete enemy to face and a clear climax to work toward, adding purpose to their journey. Bunny Zero offers a clear, tangible villain with a nefarious goal, which adds urgency and structure to the story. This antagonist introduces a final confrontation, where the heroes' quest to save the zoo can culminate in a showdown with a memorable, over-the-top villain. Instead of fighting endless hordes of zombie mutants with no end in sight, the protagonists can focus on stopping Bunny Zero to restore balance, giving the story a defined goal and direction."
Keldeo nodded and said, "It also helps the story to have an intelligent villain with a personality. Calamity Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a disappointment. But King Ganondorf, the scheming all powerful Gerudo king of evil, is always an awesome villain to fight. So having this evil bunny rabbit commanding his zombie army, making threats and villainous monologues, justifying his evil actions, and maybe even fusing or transforming himself into a one-winged angel form for the final battle will be so incredibly awesome!"
"As for the tone of Night of the Zoopocalypse, it's far from nihilistic. The story seems to prioritize hope, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose. Gracie's goal to reunite with her pack and cure the other animals shows that there's something worth fighting for. The diverse personalities of the survivors and their shared mission counteract any sense of hopelessness, offering the audience a positive and lighthearted message amid the chaos. By framing the journey as an adventure rather than a grim struggle, the film inherently avoids a nihilistic tone. The characters' willingness to risk it all to save others and defeat Bunny Zero imbues the story with hope. The world hasn't ended yet, and they can prevent it from ending. Even though the animals face danger, the presence of humor, friendship, and a mission to restore their world keeps the movie grounded in positivity, emphasizing that their actions are meaningful and that they can make a difference."
"The plot provides a clear end goal: find a way to reverse the virus and defeat Bunny Zero before he spreads the infection. This gives the story a solid structure, where every step of the journey brings the heroes closer to their goal. Unlike other zombie stories where survival is the only objective, Night of the Zoopocalypse promises a potential resolution to the chaos, setting up a journey that is both purposeful and rewarding. The characters' mission to save the zoo and confront Bunny Zero offers a clear progression with a satisfying endpoint. Rather than meandering through endless obstacles, Gracie and her team are actively working toward a solution, giving the audience a sense of direction and anticipation for a climactic resolution. This prevents the plot from feeling aimless and ensures a sense of purpose and closure by the end."
Keldeo got thoughtful and said, "Let's take a closer look at a scene shown in the trailer In the scene, Gracie's grandma—a respected elder and likely the one who taught and raised Gracie in the zoo—succumbs to the virus and morphs into a drooling, wild-eyed zombie mutant. Gracie freezes, eyes widening in horror, torn between recognizing the family member she loves and the monstrous creature now staggering toward her. Just as Gracie whispers, 'Grandma?' the hulking mountain lion steps forward and, with no hesitation, punches her grandma square in the face, sending her tumbling backward in a flurry of fur and slobber."
Keldeo smiles, "This moment packs a fantastic punch—literally and figuratively. it works so well on multiple levels. The sudden, unexpected violence in this moment is pure comedy gold. The idea of the stoic, tough-as-nails mountain lion choosing to punch an elderly wolf, of all things, defies expectations. The quick shift from Gracie's sentimental moment to the mountain lion's brutal practicality creates comedic whiplash that catches the audience off-guard in the best way. Just when we think the scene might lean into tenderness or sentimentality, the mountain lion's punch brings everything crashing back to the reality of survival in this chaotic zoo. It's a big, laugh-out-loud moment that also hints at the unpredictable danger of their environment."
"Amidst the comedy, there's a subtle sadness here, too. The moment of realization when Gracie sees her grandma transformed into a slobbering mutant is genuinely heartbreaking. The audience feels Gracie's split-second hesitation and understands that this punch has just erased any last hope she might have had of reconnecting with her grandmother. At least until the end where they defeat Bunny Zero. The punch isn't just physical— it also respects the emotional weight of what Gracie has lost."
"This scene is also a brilliant character-establishing moment for the mountain lion. His immediate response—no hesitation, no sentimentality—shows exactly what kind of survivor he is. He's the kind of character who's willing to do the hard thing to protect his friends. He doesn't wait around for Gracie to process what's happened; he sees a threat, and he takes action. This pragmatism may make him seem harsh at first, but it also reveals a deeper layer of loyalty and protective instincts, showing that he cares enough about Gracie's safety to make the tough calls."
"This moment also builds Gracie's character by highlighting her naivety. Her split-second pause shows her struggle to adapt to the reality of the virus, and the mountain lion's punch acts as a harsh lesson in survival. By the end of the scene, Gracie may feel a sense of betrayal, confusion, or even anger toward the mountain lion, but it's also a moment of growth for her. It's a wake-up call that will likely influence her actions and decisions moving forward. In a way, the mountain lion's unapologetic practicality is just as valuable to her as a lesson as her grandmother's kindness once was."
"In a more practical sense, this scene sets up great tension between Gracie and the mountain lion for future interactions. Gracie may feel resentful or conflicted about what he did to her grandma, even if she understands why he did it. This dynamic gives the group more depth, making their journey more than just a series of encounters with zombie mutants; it's also a story of characters learning to understand, and perhaps challenge, each other's values. This tension adds dimension to their relationship and promises some great banter and emotional moments down the line."
"Finally, the punch serves as a quick way to reset the tone. Instead of lingering on a sad moment, it pivots right back into the action. This balance of action, humor, and a pinch of heartbreak keeps the story moving while preserving the film's playful energy, avoiding a descent into a darker, more sorrowful tone."
Keldeo nods and says, "Okay, so I think I've made it clear that I think this movie looks good. It stinks that it didn't come out on Halloween, but whatever. But I also think that this movie is important. Lots of studios have been making movies that are either sequels or remakes. We need more original stuff that doesn't copy what's popular. So, please, if you value animation and original stories, please go see this movie in theaters on March 7, 2025. It looks like a great time and it deserves to succeed."
Keldeo then grinned slyly and said, "I mean, it's definitely a better zombie story than the final Scarlet and Violet DLC was! I'm Keldeo the Critic, I review it so you don't have too."
THE END
Night of the Zoopocalypse- Official Trailer
Cynthia Benites
Night of the Zoombies- Lookbook
Leveller Media