Zonad [Import]

A pretty irresistible concoction, the Irish film "Zonad" is an absolutely delightful and silly surprise. One of the most unabashedly ridiculous spoofs that I've seen in quite a while, this film manages to be both gently funny and unapologetically outrageous in equal measure. This comedy has true wit and unexpected heart as it parodies the science fiction films of the fifties and sixties. Set in the rural community of Ballymoran, the film tells the story of an unusual intergalactic visitor and the affect he has on the town's citizenry. And let me tell you, Zonad has a grand appetite for food, drink and the ladies. But unbeknownst to the town, although marvelously obvious, is that this is no space alien at all--but an opportunist on the run from a forced confinement. This hospitable and welcoming town is the perfect place to lay low--but in the process he becomes a local celebrity.

The squeaky clean community delights with unexpectedly modern attitudes--so many times the humor catches you from out of the blue. The screenplay has a self-aware sophistication that I hadn't anticipated and the movie has many decidedly offbeat pleasures. Written and directed by brothers John and Kieran Carney, this couldn't be more different from John's best known work--the incredible "Once." It has a real potential to be a break-out DVD hit, so I'm hoping that those that appreciate more unconventional fare will embrace the movie and get the word out. But as great and funny as the set-up is--things only get more wacky and unpredictable when another visitor from space threatens to challenge the town's beloved Zonad. With a sadistic deputy, a boxing match, a honey pot sting, two musical numbers, and more alcohol consumption than is prudent--this is a delightfully silly mess.

Much credit must go to Simon Delaney who plays the titular lead to perfection. As disturbing as this character should be, you always root for his success. David Pearse is also hilarious as his rival. As both try to bed the daughter of their host family, it leaves the girl's uptight boyfriend tossed to the sidelines. In perhaps the film's most complex role, Rory Keenan hits all the right notes as a man desperate to win his love back. Wrong headed and politically incorrect, somehow the film also manages to be sweet. Silly as all get out--but with a right blend of knowing satire--this is a small film that I'm happy to champion. Try this for a bit of whimsy--it's certainly lightweight, but it goes down smooth. KGHarris, 7/11.

Judge Mac McEntire, DVD Verdict-- Zonad is pure silliness from beginning to end. This is "anything for a laugh" comedy. Everything is exaggerated into cartoonishness, the cast goes to great lengths to humiliate themselves, and no one is afraid of lowbrow gross-outs for the sake of a lowbrow gross-outs. Things like plot and character get chucked aside so that everything can be goofy. It shouldn't work, and the whole thing should be annoying, but somehow all the pieces come together with hilarious results.

A big key to Zonad's comedic success is its cast. These folks know just what kind of movie this is, and they embrace it. Delaney, as the title alien, adopts a slightly otherworldly manner when speaking, while the whole time his eyes and facial expressions are reacting far more humanly, as he stays one step ahead of the clueless villagers while also worrying about eventually being found out. It helps that the villagers are indeed clueless, acting just like characters from stereotypical 1950s sitcoms, where husbands and wives call each other "dear," and teenagers exclaim, "gee whiz." It's all exaggerated for yuks, of course, and this means that the audience is in on Zonad's joke, and we're playing it right along with him. That way, we're invested in what happens, despite the whole "unlikable protagonist" conundrum.

Make no mistake, these characters are unlikable. Zonad is scamming not just a family but an entire town out of all its food and beer, and its daughters as well. His behavior comes back to haunt him once Bonad shows up, so there is some comeuppance. Zonad's struggle against Bonad, though, is less about having an epiphany and changing his ways, but about longing to return to gouging the hapless villagers out of their alcohol. Therefore, Zonad coming to his senses and changing his ways ends up being just as silly and nonsensical as everything else in the movie.

Also know that this is not a movie for the kiddies. Antics such as public drunkenness, people urinating on each other, and grown men lusting after underage girls are all played for laughs, and this will turn off many viewers, no matter how ridiculous it is portrayed. There's an odd subplot featuring the local cop, who is so loyal to Zonad after Zonad buys him a pint that he brutalizes anyone who speaks against Zonad. He has some funny bits, but mostly the guy is so vile that he seems out of place in the otherwise squeaky-clean village.

Special mention must be made of the score, by Brian Byrne. At turns, it evokes classic John Williams with big outer-space fanfare, and then the overly-sanitized small town aesthetic. The music punctuates the comedy excellently, sometimes solely serving as a punch line. The score actually makes the comedy funnier.

Zonad crash-lands onto DVD with an anamorphic transfer that's bright and clean, making the small Irish village look vivid and colorful. The 2.0 sound doesn't do Byrne's score any favors, but is decent. Extras are a laid-back director's commentary and the theatrical trailer.
-Full review at dvdverdict.com

A pretty irresistible concoction, the Irish film "Zonad" is an absolutely delightful and silly surprise. One of the most unabashedly ridiculous spoofs that I've seen in quite a while, this film manages to be both gently funny and unapologetically outrageous in equal measure. This comedy has true wit and unexpected heart as it parodies the science fiction films of the fifties and sixties. Set in the rural community of Ballymoran, the film tells the story of an unusual intergalactic visitor and the affect he has on the town's citizenry. And let me tell you, Zonad has a grand appetite for food, drink and the ladies. But unbeknownst to the town, although marvelously obvious, is that this is no space alien at all--but an opportunist on the run from a forced confinement. This hospitable and welcoming town is the perfect place to lay low--but in the process he becomes a local celebrity.

The squeaky clean community delights with unexpectedly modern attitudes--so many times the humor catches you from out of the blue. The screenplay has a self-aware sophistication that I hadn't anticipated and the movie has many decidedly offbeat pleasures. Written and directed by brothers John and Kieran Carney, this couldn't be more different from John's best known work--the incredible "Once." It has a real potential to be a break-out DVD hit, so I'm hoping that those that appreciate more unconventional fare will embrace the movie and get the word out. But as great and funny as the set-up is--things only get more wacky and unpredictable when another visitor from space threatens to challenge the town's beloved Zonad. With a sadistic deputy, a boxing match, a honey pot sting, two musical numbers, and more alcohol consumption than is prudent--this is a delightfully silly mess.

Much credit must go to Simon Delaney who plays the titular lead to perfection. As disturbing as this character should be, you always root for his success. David Pearse is also hilarious as his rival. As both try to bed the daughter of their host family, it leaves the girl's uptight boyfriend tossed to the sidelines. In perhaps the film's most complex role, Rory Keenan hits all the right notes as a man desperate to win his love back. Wrong headed and politically incorrect, somehow the film also manages to be sweet. Silly as all get out--but with a right blend of knowing satire--this is a small film that I'm happy to champion. Try this for a bit of whimsy--it's certainly lightweight, but it goes down smooth. KGHarris, 7/11.