Four wholesome, all-American teens go for a boat ride out to a remote island for a picnic lunch. While there they encounter a strange woman and a crew of glossy-eyed, drugged-out looking workers. Running off, they discover that their boat is missing and are forced to confront the mysterious woman.
Trouble, as trouble will, ensues, as the woman in question turns out to be a scientist and part of a larger, international organization with a fairly nefarious agenda in mind.
Actual zombie action is very minimal - One worker, Ivan, and for a brief moment, a couple of girls. Oh yeah, also, a gorilla. Yes. A gorilla.
Props for Ivan as the zombified manservant for creepiness, though. The others workers aren’t shown during the movie aside from the initial shot, although mentioned and the threat of mass ‘zombism’ is present and a pivotal plot point.
As Teenage Zombies was pre-Romero, the zombies are of the voodoo variety, although not brought on by voodoo but a nerve gas. Also, the effects on the inflicted appear to be temporary and reversible with an antidote.
The ‘acting’ is amateurish but enthusiastic, with lines delivered similar to a Leave It To Beaver scene. The whole movie plays out like a live-action Scooby Doo, minus the dog, and actual scares are about as common as a Halloween episode of Dobie Gillis, (And I acknowledge NOBOY is going to catch that reference!)
Going through the Zombie Movie Rubric is NOT a good thing for Teenage Zombies! An almost zero Zombie presence, coupla’ nickels-budget, stereotypical teens, and effects so bad that I can’t even use the term ‘special,’ (I mean, I have seen more convincing looking gorilla costumes in the Spirit Halloween store!) All adds up to a pretty lousy score for this feature - 0.88 out of a possible 4. This earns it a definite ‘Avoid’ if looking for a zombie movie.
In fact, I feel a little bad reviewing this as a zombie movie. As an entry into the assorted 50s drive-in features, it would still garner luke-warm “meh” reactions I am sure.
There is the movie trailer on YouTube, and that is enough. TEENAGE ZOMBIES
