Movie Day of the Dog: Fido

In this week's underdog, Fido, atmospheric anomalies turn all recently deceased into zombies in this under-appreciated comedy, already bucking undead lore and introducing some interesting possibilities.

In lieu of showing a zombie outbreak and subsequent war, the zombie apocalypse has already occurred, and the remaining zombies are controlled and made slaves via a containment collar. Shown in a very 1950s "duck and cover" small town environment, a young boy finds a father figure in his zombie "pet," and an intriguing, funny tale of morality, society, and justice ensues.

Don't think of underdog Fido as didactic, though; it's pure fun, but while the over-the-top perfect small town setting would grow tiresome after a little while, Fido keeps it wholly interesting by making a few witty jabs at Red Scare thinking. In-character acting by an all-star cast completes the picture, which is really far more entertaining than gut-bustlingly hilarious or at all scary.

Why it deserves dog status: Well, with an IMDb rating of 7.0, it seems most viewers really appreciated Fido has to offer, but with a mere 8,500 votes, it's also obvious that this one never quite made it onto many people's radars. You don't have to like zombie flicks to appreciate this instant classic, but loving the genre will make many moments that much better.

The Matrix's Carrie-Anne Moss is excellent as the unwitting love-interest for Fido, and while largely mute, Bill Connolly is dynamite as Fido, with lots of humorous nuances and tacit jokes.
So check out Fido when you're in the mood for a good laugh and some witty entertainment.