Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

In a bonkers zombie flick, Tye Sheridan and Logan Miller play two sexually frustrated teens who remain scouts only out of obligation to their enthusiastic friend (Joey Morgan). But when their troop's leader (Anchorman's David Koechner, having a ball) becomes the walking dead, along with most of their small American town, these trained survivors come into their own. Director Christopher Landon (the Paranormal Activity franchise) is gifted with an inherently funny concept and successfully marries the kitsch (a Dolly Parton obsession and Britney Spears sing-along) with the crass (zombie genitalia). If the film lacks bite and panache, it's still true to the spirit of predecessors like Re-Animator and Zombieland in its fondness for wild horror and terrible taste laughs. Although the female characters are often leered at, this is an equal opportunities offender that also sports an unflappable action heroine (Sarah Dumont). And the talented Sheridan's nice-guy lead generates lots of goodwill, through a tidal wave of splatter.