| UNDEAD HAUNTED EXPERIENCE:
Legend has it that an abandoned government lab where secret experiments
were once conducted, and went tragically wrong was located beneath the
Richland
Mall. Manifestations resulted in bizarre mutations, most notably
creating the desire for human flesh. Fast forward to the present,
where rampaging Zombies, and other creatures
of the night now roam the long forgotten facility. Masks used in
zombie films Dawn of the Dead and
House of the Living Dead decorate the
queue line area. Strobes, darkness and loud, scary music begin the
Undead Experience. An animated body shoots out from beneath
a desk, and the first of several irritable, grotesque-looking Zombies
charges out of hiding. Loud pounding, vicious sparks, wickedly loud
screams, and more assaulting sounds lead through the wooden maze-like structure
to encounters with a mechanical beheaded body, and a variety of scientific
equipment, labs, and experimentation. More of The Living Dead
attack by climbing the walls around you, and devouring the remnants of
victimized corpses, then turn their attention on some poor, unfortunate
soul desperately pleading for help. Vehicles belonging to the Center
for Disease Control responding to the fog-filled scene have been commandeered
by the relentless creatures, and give rise to some startling surprises.
Cabinet doors bang open and closed on their own, as camouflaged, gas masked
characters blast air guns at passersby, and pneumatic monsters spring forth
from coffins, and other confinements. A horrific accident scene involves
a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while startling, non-dead beings leave
their concealment through secret doors, ambushing with knives, power tools,
and other murderous weapons of choice, en route to a chainsaw chase-out
of the Undead Haunted Experience.
Analysis:
LENGTH - 6, Only 8 minutes in length.
ACTORS - 8, Good use of make-up creates some rather unique
looking individuals. Characters are well hidden, and all work hard
to deliver the best possible scares, but could benefit from a larger workforce,
and a little more dialogue. Flesh eating zombie who goes after the
girl, and tall, knife-wielding brute are most memorable.
SCARINESS - 8, The zombie theme is legitimately frightening,
and well played out. Great loud sounds accompany the adventure, and
it’s quite good while it lasts, but limited by its short duration.
DESIGN - 7½, Frightening in nature, and gory at
times. Scenes flow well, and they make the most of their surroundings,
but just too brief to rate higher.
PROPS - 8, Good décor, and a nice compliment of
animatronics that deliver long-lasting, up close and personal surprises.
VALUE - 7, $10 with readily available coupon, is pretty
much today’s going rate, but a little steep considering it’s a first year
haunt lasting under ten minutes. Still a treat to have another quality
attraction in the neighborhood, not only for locals, but especially so
for out of town travelers visiting the area’s major player.
RATING - 7½, A unique theme, and a clever
back-story provides plenty to build on in the years to come. Quite
an impressive debut for a first year effort, and conveniently located to
catch some overflow traffic from The Mansfield Prison. When
visiting, be sure to keep in mind the three necessary steps
to survive zombie infestation – Avoidance, Termination, and
Disposal.
It just may save your life! |
