From Rue Morgue #23, Sep/Oct 2001:
“That The Blair Witch Project would be the springboard to hundreds of imitations was unavoidable, but this film goes one step further, incorporating actual documentary footage of an archaeological dig into the plot! And it works! [...] Flesh Freaks is surprisingly well-made for what is obviously an extremely low-budget amateur production. The story is solid and relatively original, apocalyptic in nature but not reaching beyond the $1 budget. The gore is gooey and copious, highlighting a satisfying amount of zombie action and the makeup recalls the paper mache zombies of Andrea Bianchi’s gutmunch classic Burial Ground (Le notte del terrore). Of note is that these particualr zombies do not feed on human flesh, sharing a kinship to the radioactive zombies of Lenzi’s oatmeal-faced City of the Walking Dead. These two zombie classics bear mentioning because they have been an obvious influence on this movie.
Due to Canada’s restrictive gun control laws, there are no handguns in the movie’ instead of head shots, zombies are dispatched by having broom handles, crow bars and other sundry items rammed through their skulls. The most striking aspect of Flesh Freaks is the considered cinematography; director Pendergast utilizes a wide palette of digital video FX and uses deft lighting and camera tricks to help advance the story and augment some of the amateur makeup. Most importantly, the image quality is consistent throughout. Overall, an impressive little film that defies its miniscule budget. Also worth of mention is the lurid video cover art, a disgusting collage of withered and rotted zombie heads!”
- The Gore-Met, Rue Morgue #23, Sep/Oct 2001
