Cockneys vs Zombies is no Shaun of the Dead, but it is still quite funny and oddly uplifting and optimistic about the scrappy determination of working-class Londoners against all challenges. Two brothers, their cousin, an inept criminal and a psycho named Mental rob a bank on the same day as a zombie outbreak. Cockneys vs Zombies’ secret weapon is its elderly cast of former tough guys and gals gone to seed, but can still give as good as they get.
I’m not signing a waiver over the fact that the only black character is as close to evil as any human character gets in Cockneys vs Zombies. On one hand, Cockneys vs Zombies makes a distinction between good criminals, our traditional idea of East Enders, including one elderly guy who used to put hits on people for possibly minor infractions, and bad criminals like Mental. On the other hand, every British crime caper film has one unreasonable psycho with no code of ethics, and Cockneys vs Zombies happened to cast a black actor, who does a bloody good job. Cockneys vs Zombies briefly critiques gentrification and how the pursuit of economic progress has an inherent lack of respect for all veterans and the elderly.
If you like zombie comedies, Cockneys vs Zombies is a must see that will make you feel good.