Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires Review: Is it a Dream Come True?

Have you heard the story of a girl and a zombie? You probably have at this point, but have you heard the story of a vampire and a daywalker? Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires tells that story. However, you might not be interested.

Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires acts as a way to introduce viewers to new leads Nova and Victor. Their story plays out similarly to Addison and Zed. They’re from two different worlds but feel the call of love and destiny.

Nova and Victor have decent chemistry and beautiful voices. Nevertheless, their romance may not match the level of charm that Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly brought to the series over four films as Zed and Addison.

Though the movie doesn’t explicitly say that this is likely the last we will see of Addison and Zed in a major capacity, Zombies 4 makes their likely swan song clear.

Donnelly and Manheim are getting older and both have been having success in other projects. It’s time to pass the torch. The film attempts this by having Zed and Addison around mainly to assist and guide Nova and Victor.

We’re now witnessing Victor and Nova’s love story. Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires takes a similar route as Descendents: The Rise of Red, but expertly blends the original stars with the new group to help make the transition for viewers smoother.

It also allows fans of Zed and Addison a chance at goodbye. Overall, it’s an okay entry into the Zombies franchise, but doesn’t quite have the fangs and spark of the other three films. The songs don’t stand out as much, and the best two musical moments are reprises of songs from the other movies.

“Ain’t No Doubt About It” is one of the best songs in Zombies 3, and the perfect song to potentially close Zed and Addison’s story. Then “Someday,” which appears in every Zombies movie, gets a beautiful reprise in the film’s most emotional scene.

You may know they won’t boldly kill Zed, but Manheim and Donnelly sell you on that possibility.

“Dream Come True”  is the best song of the new songs because it’s a dreamy, enchanting love song. Additionally, it’s sung so well by newcomers Freya Skye and Malachi Barton. All the songs are sung well, but very few have the same memorable nature as the music for the first three films.

We get excited every time “Someday” starts, because the franchise continues to reivent this catchy song. It captures the heart of the movie. It starts as a catchy tune of two kids falling in love, becomes a tribute to their growing love, then a somber ballad of them possibly being torn apart, and finally an almost end for good.

Zombie 4: The Dawn of the Vampires also feels a bit too long and overcomplicates things. It’s a summer camp story, but also this complicated vampire and daywalker lore, but then also goodbye to Zed and Addison, and hello to Nova and Victor.

This ambitious movie doesn’t quite hit the right notes. It introduces the viewer to the new  Zombies direction, but may not satisfy long-standing fans. However, this might not be for those fans, but for the new generation of Zombies lovers.

Stray Thoughts

• I love how the Zombies movies continue to increase its budget, and it reflects in how much better the wardrobes and wigs get each film.
• The football camp and cheerleading college camp seem silly at this point. However, I like that the film shows that those who thrive in a certain field don’t always repeat that same success in college.
• I wish Zombies 4 took place much later in time. If this is the end of Zed and Addison, I wish it ended with their wedding.
• I love how one of my favorite songs from the franchise, “Ain’t No Doubt About It,” is used. 
• I wish we got a few more songs with just Zed and Addison.

What did you think of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires is streaming on Disney+.

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