2022 BURLINGTON COUNTY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
Two young friends, Princess (Jiselle) and Jio (Jiovany), argue about everything. They argue about how to drive, whether or not to rescue a stray dog, and how to deal with the zombie apocalypse. Written and directed by Javier Cortez, Princess and the Zs - Part 4 tells the story of these friends attempting to find and stop the man behind the zombie apocalypse. They must put their differences aside and work together to save mankind before it’s too late. Do they have what it takes, or is the end of the world near?
Acting: below average. Set design: Sloppy. Costume and wardrobe: None existent. Yet, somehow Princess and the Zs - Part 4 works. Let’s start with the issues, and end on a positive note–starting first with the acting.
The film’s protagonists are young children, both seemingly under the age of ten. They have no experience to speak of, and their ability to accurately convey emotion is lacking. Both Jiselle and Jiovany struggle to bring appropriate emotion to the surface, and as a result some portions of the film are hard to appreciate. As Princess and the Zs - Part 4 plays out, it’s sometimes difficult to understand exactly what Cortez is trying to express to viewers. It’s clear that Cortez wants to express both drama and comedy throughout the course of his short film, but the line between the two is often blurred, and sometimes Cortez’s intent isn’t effectively conveyed.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: “location, location, location!” A clean, fully-finished basement isn’t the place you’d expect to find a mad scientist responsible for the creation of zombies. Yet, this is where we find Dr. Dynamite (Armando Alfonso). There’s nothing harrowing about the filming locations, and there’s nothing to say to viewers that the film’s leads are actually in danger. The film begins to fall apart here, and all that Cortez had worked for flies out of the window.
What I struggled with the most throughout the course of Princess and the Zs - Part 4 was the wardrobe issues. How in the world am I expected to take an evil scientist seriously when he’s wearing Adidas sweatpants and no shoes? However, just like everything else, the worst decision that could have been made is the one that Cortez makes in regard to the costumes (if you want to call them that). A dress shirt, black pants, boots, and just about anything else would have allowed Dr. Dynamite to be more appealing in his role. Princess and the Zs - Part 4 fails in so many ways that it seems impossible for it to appeal to the public–and yet it manages to reach viewers anyway.
The one reason for Princess and the Zs - Part 4, believe it or not, is the kids. Sure, their acting is subpar (which can be expected), but their innocence shines through the entire film. They are goofy, downright silly, and their chemistry is that of longtime friends. While their intended emotion may not always make its way to the surface, Jiselle and Jiovany clearly have a history, and their ability to effectively work together is endearing. They are incredibly young, and their love for one another can be seen throughout, and that’s enough for viewers to enjoy.
Princess and the Zs - Part 4 is essentially a no-budget film–and a series of poor choices hinder the film’s ability to work as intended. From acting, to wardrobe, to set design, Princess and the Zs - Part 4 fails to deliver what it seems that Cortez had hoped to. With different protagonists it’s possible that nothing would have worked for the film–but Jiselle and Jiovany, through their innocence and chemistry are able to bring some semblance of hope to a struggling film.
Written & Directed by Javier Cortez.
Starring Jiselle, Jiovany, Jonathan, Jecenia Nieves, Armando Alfonso, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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