Watch Shadow Zone: The Undead Express

Shadow Zone: The Undead Express is a 1996 supernatural thriller film directed by Stephen Williams and aired on Fox. The movie stars Ron Silver, who plays the role of a ruthless businessman who ends up on a haunted train ride; Chauncey Leopardi, who plays the role of a curious and brave teenager; and Natanya Ross, who plays a woman trying to connect with her son and husband.

The movie follows the story of Zach Sands (played by Chauncey Leopardi), a teenage boy who enlists the help of his mother, Mary (played by Natanya Ross), in finding his missing father, who works as a train engineer. Zach and Mary embark on a search for the father, who they learn has disappeared while on an overnight train ride through the mountains. Zach's father would later appear on the face of his mirror telling him that he is in the Shadow Zone.

As they board the same train, they meet a rich businessman named Edward Maltin (played by Ron Silver) who is on his way to a business meeting. Maltin is unscrupulous and obsessed with success, which causes him to treat the people around him poorly. As the train gets underway, strange things start happening, and the passengers start to disappear one by one.

It turns out that the train is haunted by undead, ghost-like entities that are seeking revenge on the living. These creatures are terrifying, and they don't hesitate to pursue their victims relentlessly. Zach, Mary, and Maltin must work together to survive the ordeal, but the businessman is much more interested in saving himself than anyone else.

The plot is simple but effective, and the film does an excellent job of creating an eerie, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The train itself is a perfect setting for the story, and the filmmakers used it to great effect, transforming it into a sinister, ominous presence that looms over the passengers.

One of the standout features of the movie is the special effects. Despite its relatively low budget, the effects are well-done, and the undead creatures are genuinely terrifying. The film also makes use of some impressive practical effects, including some great makeup and prosthetics work.

The performances are solid across the board. Ron Silver stands out as the villainous Maltin, portraying him as unscrupulous and slimy, yet strangely sympathetic. Natanya Ross delivers a poignant performance as the mother who is trying to reconnect with her family, while Chauncey Leopardi is an engaging protagonist, conveying a sense of wonder and curiosity that draws the audience in.

The pacing of the movie is excellent; the story moves quickly, and there's never a dull moment. The film is relatively short, running at just under 90 minutes, but it packs a lot of action and thrills into that time.

Shadow Zone: The Undead Express may not be a classic horror movie, but it's definitely an enjoyable one. It's well-executed, with a tight script, good performances, and effective special effects. While it may not be the scariest movie you'll ever see, it's certainly an entertaining one that's well worth checking out.

Shadow Zone: The Undead Express is a 1996 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.