One of the most infamous Troma pickups in existance, Redneck Zombies is a very historic film for Troma. As the story you've probably already heard goes, director Pericles Lewnes and producer Edward Bishop showed up in the Troma offices one day with a film they had shot on video (Redneck Zombies is actually the first film ever shot on videotape to make it into distribution) that they wanted Troma to distribute. Because distributing a film that was shot on video was a big risk at the time, Pericles Lewnes agreed to do effects on Troma's War, The Toxic Avenger Part II and Part III, and Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D..

A stoned military worker accidentally loses a barrel of toxic chemical waste to an aggressive redneck, who then gives it to a family of moonshine dealers to keep from being killed. They use the barrel to make the moonshine they need to deliver to their friends and neighbors. Little do these backwoods rednecks realize that the moonshine they're drinking is toxic and will turn them into flesh-eating zombies! A group of campers in the woods find themselves victims of the hundreds of flesh-eating, redneck zombies that have taken over the area and must find a way to stop them.

As expected, Redneck Zombies is incredibly stupid, cheesy, and cheap. The continuity is atrocious, to the point that when characters enter their death scenes, their clothes change drastically. However, that's what makes the film so much fun. The cast and crew knew they were making a bad film with Redneck Zombies and went all the way with it. It's one of those films where you absolutely have to leave your brain at the door to enjoy it.

Despite the cheapness and lack of continuity, there are plenty of good aspects. The acting is obviously amateur, but it fits the "so bad it's hilarious" form of the film. For being shot on video, it's surprisingly well-shot. However, the sound is unfortunately often covered with hiss. The gore effects are very impressive for the miniscule $10,000 budget, which shows why Pericles Lewnes was able to do so much with the effects on his later Troma works.

Overall, Redneck Zombies is extremely flawed. But that's why it's so much fun to watch. Leave your brain at the door and pop it in for a fun little humorous gorefest.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars