I need to start this review off by first saying thanks to the Canadian funding bodies like Telefilm and CHUM Broadcasting behind the new zom-com, Fido. After a long string of cold and dead dramas and wanna be Hollywood knock offs someone in charge finally realized what many Canadians in the film community have been saying for years; the bizarre genre niche films should be our industry's bread and butter.

Fido directed by Andrew Currie is a polished and sharp 1950's satire film about zombies who are tamed after the great Zombie Wars and used as public servants and household help. Fido carefully uses a mix of recognizable American actors mixed in with Can-Con to create the funniest Canadian film I can recall and what I hope will be one of the most financially viable ones.

Why? Well because it doesn't feel Canadian, it just feels like a good time.

The film's story revolves around Timmy Robinson a "Leave it to Beaver" style lead played with spot on skill by newcomer 13 year old K'Sun Ray who's family gets their first house zombie. Timmy connects with his outcast zombie pal (played with minimalistic brilliance by Billy Connelly) and names him Fido and thus begins the achingly funny sequences reminiscent of such "boy and his dog" classics as Lassie. But tragedy strikes when Fido accidentally kills an elderly neighbor and Timmy attempts a cover-up.

Poor Fido's trouble doesn't end there as he is an unwelcome house guest in the Robinson household for absentee father and husband Bill Robinson played by comedic gem Dylan Baker. Tension rises in the perfect suburban home when Fido develops a crush on ignored wife Tammy Robinson; a delicately campy Carrie Anne Moss.

Will Fido be able to stay with Timmy or will the Big Brother-esque zombie monitoring company "ZomCon" run by the Robinson's stuck up neighbor sweep in and deliver zombie justice?

Fido's beautiful 1950's art direction together with a spot on period score and eye popping cinematography meld perfectly with a laugh heavy script to make it one of the most pleasurable Canadian cinema experiences I've ever had.

P.S - I had the pleasure of seeing the film with a packed house at the Bloor Cinema sponsored by Rue Morgue Magazine. With people dressed in zombie attire shouting and applauding along with the film it became very clear that Fido is destined to be cult classic, so dig in but be careful Fido might rip your heart out.