One of those treasureable items that somehow slips unnoticed straight to DVD, at least in the UK, FIDO is a zomcom which picks up in many ways where SHAUN OF THE DEAD left us. With the Great Zombie War concluded, at least to the satisfaction of a smug humanity, the damned creatures are controlled by collars which make them dociile and extremely useful as servants although friendship is discouraged. The remaining human population lives in protected cosy enclaves, lives capped off at around age 65 as the risk of the dead rising to life at each OAP's increasingly likely demise means that older citizens are summarily shipped away for the protection of society. In one of the supposedly perfect families which remain, young Timmy Robinson begins to form an attachment to his family's zombie. All of this is set in an alternate 50's Sirkian America, a ghastly paradise lovingly rendered and well shot, and the result is akin to FAR FROM HEAVEN directed by a twinkly eyed George Romero. Apart from providing a fresh wrinkle to a genre which has grown increasingly overcrowded by second rate product in recent years FIDO also - at least to these eyes - suggests something about the state of civil rights of the time, the often casual treatment of blacks as sub-citizens in the States with no real dignity. The only thing which weakens the film is the denouement, a neat wrap up maybe, but a little too unimaginative. Yet all in all this is thoroughly recommendable stuff, some carefully crafted SF satire up there with IDOIOCRACY and THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA.

A brilliant idea - the America of the 1950's (think 'Pleasantville') where zombies are domesticated pets. A top rate cast, notably the young boy lead actor, Billy Connolly and Carrie Anne Moss, and perfectly lit shots, the direction and pace is wonderful. Not totally hilarious, but very funny nonetheless. It's a 'Lassie' film meets 'Shaun Of The Dead'. A shame it wasn't more popular - buy it - you won't regret it. Sweet, charming and a little weird.