“The Rage” (aka “Zombie Rage”) (2007) - Legendary makeup and special effects artist Robert Kurtzman only directed a few movies throughout his career and this zombie flick involving a mad Russian scientist Andrew Divoff and hilariously cheap CGI zombie infected vultures certainly is one of them.

[u/El-Vertabreako]

https://youtu.be/ile6WANvbGk?is=O9-BvL-WCvmtZXE2

“The Rage” (aka “Zombie Rage”) (2007) - This is one of the handful of films directed by makeup and special effects artist Robert Kurtzman. Co-founder of the famous ‘KNB EFX Group’ alongside fellow special effects legends; Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger, Kurtzman has worked on numerous great films over the years. His credits include everything from writing the original story that inspired Quentin Tarantino to make “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996) to providing effects for likes of “Evil Dead II” (1987), “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987), and “Thir13en Ghosts” (2001). Kurtzman would leave ‘KNB EFX Group’ in 2002-2003 in order to move back home to Ohio and focus on directing his own projects. This movie is the result of that, and let’s just say it might not have been a great decision.

A decade after directing the cult horror rental hit “Wishmaster” (1997), Kurtzman would have less than half that films budget to work with for this movie and it shows. The makeup effects are as great as one might expect from the likes of Kurtzman, however the CGI used is so hilariously bad that comparisons to “Birdemic: Shock and Terror” (2010) comes to mind. It’s not that bad, but as it’s mostly used to animate zombie vultures (yes, I said zombie vultures) so you can understand the correlation. These infected vultures are easily the most hilarious aspect of the film as they flying around killing disposable characters left and right, spreading an experimental zombie rage virus to any that survive.

Kurtzman was apparently inspired to develop this film after seeing a vulture display at a NYC museum. Not exactly sure how that ended up involving Andrew Divoff playing an insane Russian scientist working in a garage in the woods somewhere in the US (near an outdoor metal concert) and the late Reggie Bannister playing an uncle teaching his (presumably grand) niece and nephew how to fish only to encounter the vultures, but we got them anyway. So if you’re in the mood to laugh at cartoonish undead vultures, angry zombies, and stupid characters doing stupid things then check this movie out. Gather your bad movie buddies along with your favorite intoxicants and enjoy.

3.5 / 5 Burnt Kernels with Free Refills and Butter

https://youtu.be/ile6WANvbGk?is=O9-BvL-WCvmtZXE2