The Zero Boys
the zero boys
3.5 stars

Starring: Daniel Hirsch, Kelli Maroney, Joe Estevez, Nicole Rio

Directed: Nico Mastorakis

Release Date: April 26, 2016

Run Time: 89 Minutes

Format: Blu-Ray Color: Color

Audio: English Subtitles: English

Distributor: Arrow Video

Synopsis

DAWN OF A NEW BREED OF HEROES

From cult director Nico Mastorakis, the man behind such eclectic offerings as the controversial Island of Death and the Oliver Reed-starring actioner Hired to Kill, comes The Zero Boys – the genre-bending ’80s classic with gruesome sequences that anticipate the torture porn horrors of Hostel and Saw.

For a group of young friends, a weekend of survival games in the wilderness turns into a genuine battle of life and death when one of their number turns up dead. Finding themselves hunted by a bloodthirsty band of maniacs intent on slaughtering them one-by-one, the self-styled “Zero Boys” must now play their war games for real.

Starring Kelli Maroney (Night of the Comet, Chopping Mall) and featuring an early score from the legendary Hans Zimmer (Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy), The Zero Boys mixes action, survival and all-out slasher movie elements in a thrilling horror yarn that falls somewhere between Friday the 13th and Deliverance.

Audio/Video

Audio

Audio Language: English
Dubbed:
Subtitles: English

The Sound Quality is Good with Clear non Distorted Dialogue and the Bass kicks in when it’s needed. Produces a full sound.

Rating: 4.5 stars

 

Picture Quality

Disc Format: Blu-Ray

The Picture Quality is Good but could be better. Colors are popping and image is sharp and really sharp on close-ups but darker scenes lack with at times heavy grain that shows up pretty good on black back drops and some times feels like I’m looking through light snow. Some dark scenes are clean though.

Rating: 4 stars

Note: Equipment used to watch the film can be found below

Theatrical release Date: March 27, 1986 (UK)
Disc release Date: April 26, 2016 (USA)
Extras
  • DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
  • Brand new 2K restoration of the film, approved by writer-director Nico Mastorakis
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
  • Original Stereo audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Audio Commentary with star Kelli Maroney, moderated by Shock Till You Drop’s Chris Alexander
  • Nico Mastorakis on… Nico Mastorakis – brand new interview with Mastorakis on the making of The Zero Boys
  • Brand new interview with star Kelli Maroney
  • Brand new interview with star Nicole Rio
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Stills Gallery
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
  • Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by critic James Oliver
My Thoughts

 

The Zero Boys is an Action 80’s Adventure film or should I say Horror film with a small flair of Comedy that involves 80’s hairdo’s and Theme Music. Guns are brought out but don’t worry, The start of the movie we are hit with action as a group called The Zero Boys playing War Games with Paintball Like guns or more like BB guns that shoot paint pellets. Now the film turns to Horror when the group ends up celebrating victory in a House in the Middle of the woods they stumbled upon. What Makes this Different then the Teens find a cabin in woods and gets hacked up by ether one of their friends, a redneck in the woods or some monster. Here we have a few guys who thrive on strategy and it so happens they brought real guns to the fight.

The Plot is small but the whole 80’s vibe is strong as well it should be. Hans Zimmer is on the Keys in this one which Might make it more enjoyable to the viewer who are fans. Acting wise its fine but it is a B Horror. Gore and Death was showcased but we needed more. Gore wise its was pretty small. One thing that was absent in theses types of films….Nudity. The Last Kill could have been better and the Gun Sound Affects needs an upgrade. Yes we have negatives but it’s still a Fun film to watch

Overall the film was good watch that may hit most of its audience but I can see a few not digging the film. I Like it as it brings a different concept then the whole hack teens up in the woods genre as this bring a bit more to the table. The film has its ups and downs and I wish the ending was better but we still get a Solid film in my eyes.

With that said I give The Zero Boys a 3.5 out of 5. It gets low reviews but for me its my first viewing and I Enjoyed it. Form some it may not hold up but hey if you know the film or think the plot is interesting then I say pick this up and give it a shot.

 

Rating – 5 Star System

Film:

PQ:

Sound:

3.5 stars
4 stars
4.5 stars
Trailer

 

Buy Film
 Blu-Ray
Prices are posted at time of review and most likely before release.
Prices will or could have changed after this review.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

This Film was Played on the listed Equipment below

Click Here To Drop Down the List of Equipment
TV

Samsung (UN46C6900) 46-Inch 1080p LED HDTV

DVD/Blu-Ray Player

OPPO BDP – 103 (Highly Recommended)

Click here to Learn More

Stereo Receiver

Pioneer VSX-516-K 7.1-Channel

Click here to Learn More

(1) Center Speaker

Pioneer S-HF 11C

Click here to Learn More

(2) Front Speaker

KLH 9250B Floor – 350 watts

(4) Surround sound Speakers

KLH 100 watt Bookshelf

(1) Subwoofer

Sony SA-W3000 180 Watt 12″ sub

Click here to Learn More


Note: I Know my speakers are way outdated. OPPO Blu-Ray Player is one of the best around and used in most home theaters. The Receiver is pretty good but on the line of out dated. Subwoofer is good with tons of bass but not the theater quality from a $400 Sub. Front speakers are fun with tons of power and are good for standalone’s but higher end sound (Hz) is lower quality. Overall I need to update on all speakers granted I do get decent sound out of them just the higher end falls short.

 

My Setup

By Masked Avenger

CEO/Webmaster of soreelflix.com. The Name Is James and I love Film ranging from Silent 20's to highly CGI Blockbusters of today. Westerns, Horror, world film, basically anything that peaks my interest I own it But Asian Films are what I Prize the most and Half of My collection Consists of Asian Films. Thanks to the Film 5 Deadly Venoms I Hail From The US, Maryland Is where The Ninja Studies and views the Scrolls of Film That Shine on his 46" Screen. I own a sword, I can do a thousand upside down situps, and I randomly disappear in smoke when I'm not writing movie news and or reviews.

2 thoughts on “Review: The Zero Boys (Arrow Video)”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.