"ApoKalypse," the recently released animated feature, is a surprisingly entertaining ride, especially considering its visibly ultra-low budget. While it won't be sweeping any major awards for technical prowess, its quirky humor, surprisingly endearing characters, and a truly unexpected cameo from the infamous Uwe Boll make it a worthwhile watch for fans of indie animation and zombie comedies. The film throws us into the fluorescent-lit, slowly dying Crown Center Plaza, where we meet 21-year-old Apo Guerrero. Apo dreams of ditching his gig at the aptly named "Bunz of Steel" burger joint to become a pro skateboarder, much to the chagrin of his traditional father. When he's not slinging burgers with his best friend Jamal or co-designing custom skateboard gear for their brand "Air Crown Jewelz," Apo attempts to woo Cho, who works at her family's Korean chicken restaurant across the food court. The mundane mall life takes a sharp, bizarre turn when a conspiracy theory podcast popularizes "Ratartarre," a rat poison hilariously and horrifyingly marketed as a miracle COVID cure. Thanks to a mall-wide promotion orchestrated by the oblivious manager, Mr. DeGeneres, the plaza is soon overrun by a horde of entitled shoppers, predominantly the "Karen" archetype, eager to get their hands on the bogus remedy. The chaos truly ignites when one such customer ingests Ratartarre at Bunz of Steel and undergoes a grotesque, Kafka-esque transformation into something decidedly inhuman and aggressive. What follows is a frantic, often silly, battle for survival as these "brain deads," as Apo and Jamal christen them, begin to multiply. The film cleverly plays with the zombie trope, giving its initial wave of infected distinct "Karen" personalities and later introducing uniquely themed brain deads tied to the mall's various stores. Apo soon discovers that these creatures have peculiar vulnerabilities, adding a layer of strategy to the ensuing mayhem. As the U. S. Army, led by a xenophobic Sergeant Major convinced this is a Chinese bioweapon, quarantines the mall, Apo, Jamal, and Cho must use their wits, skateboarding skills, and an assortment of mall-scavenged weaponry to find an escape. Along their journey, they cross paths with a cast of colorful survivors, including the eccentric gun store owner Ruby and the comically overzealous security guard Ken. "ApoKalypse" stumbles at times with its animation quality, which is undeniably basic. Character movements can be stiff, and backgrounds are often simplistic. However, the film's visual style has a certain charm, and it leans into its limitations with a knowing wink. The voice acting is enthusiastic, and the script, while not groundbreaking, delivers some genuinely funny lines and satirical jabs at consumer culture, conspiracy theories, and even office politics amongst the undead. The budding romance between Apo and Cho, set against the backdrop of retail hell and a zombie apocalypse, adds a touch of sweetness to the gory proceedings. The film also manages to touch upon themes of generational conflict and chasing one's dreams, even if it's amidst a zombie outbreak. And yes, keep your eyes peeled for a bizarre, blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance by none other than Uwe Boll, in a role that perfectly suits his notorious reputation. "ApoKalypse" isn't a masterpiece of animation, but it's a testament to what can be achieved with passion and a shoestring budget. It's a fun, unpretentious, and surprisingly inventive little film that offers more genuine laughs and heart than many of its big-budget counterparts. If you can look past the rough-around-the-edges animation, you'll find a good time, not an excellent one, but certainly a memorable one, at the Crown Center Plaza.
