Cooties

Cooties, I nominate you for Underrated Gem. Seeing a few promos for this film over five years ago, I was intrigued. I didn't exactly keep up with the release of this little picture that could. This film completely slipped under the radar in 20015, except for Sundance and video on demand, to which it had minimal success. My need to watch this film came stumbling back to me as I found it on Peacock Streaming of all places. Finding this horror comedy at the right moment in time, movie day was set in my house. Completely forgetting this film, after its release. Happy to say this little flick packs a wallop of horror comedy and forever adds to the genre of killer kids films. Part zombie bottle movie. Part satirical improvisation sessions. For a movie from the Co-Creator of Glee and the writer/actor from Saw, this film is mostly unseen. The pairing of these two really shines as modern Leave It to Beaver style meets the characters of Glee, by way of zombie apocalypse.

The catalyst for this film is the classic contaminated chicken nugget in an elementary school plot. This chicken infection makes any pre-pubescent child turn into a blood-thirsty, zombie like infected creature. If the kids don't kill you, the processed foods will. The kids are given ample time to shine before all the infections begin. This movie will especially hit home for those that are teachers, parents, or anyone that works with children. The kids become downright terrifying as they become a horde of infected. It's darkly comical. Horrifying but funny. The film is mostly played for laughs and it completely works here, especially sporting this cast. They are game for horror wackiness. Characters have many idiosyncrasies that play as funny bits throughout the movie.

We follow Clint Hadson, a down on his luck, aspiring writer, substitute teacher at an elementary school he used to attend. Here he rekindles his lost love with high school sweetheart Lucy McCormick. Clint is taken aback to learn the same redneck gym teacher that blocked him in with his massive truck, Wade Johnson, is now dating Lucy. How opposites attract. There are various other staff members we meet a long the way. Most of the side characters stay out of the action for the most part, they do tend to provide comic relief. The reactions here are hilarious. Many of the side characters make the movie. From explaining the cause of the infection to clearly improvised moments. The unlikely bad ass of the movie goes to the underused janitor Hitachi. He sports a mean warrior like presence. An entire movie could follow this man. Under dog to say the least. Things pick up fairly quickly as the children succumb to infection and the blood bath begins, trapping our heroes in the school. The school is completely fenced in so none of the children can get out. It also happens to stand, a lowly stoner, crossing guard is locked in his van on a mushroom trip during the events of film. He plays for a lot of laughs and ends up playing a role in the finale.

The film is a rip roaring good time. From the simple yet intense plot, to the comical genius of the actors. This is comedy heaven, with kid approved eating of teachers and parents alive. It must have been quite fun for the child actors to play snotty kids to blood thirsty fiends.

"Cooties" is a film directed by Jonathan Milot and Cary Murnion from a screenplay written by Ian Brennan and Leigh Whannel, which both co-star in the film as staff members. The film was released by Lionsgate Premiere. The film stars Elijah Wood, Alison Pill, Rainn Wilson, Jack McBrayer, Nasim Pedrad, and Jorge Garcia. Quite the cast of characters and actors that inhabit this world. Spend some time with this wacky zombie-ish film. Give it a chance. If you don't watch this gem, there will be no chances but infection. Great film for disgruntled teachers and caregivers.