Film Review – This Is Not a Test

“This Is Not a Test” can be a strange viewing experience. It’s based on a 2012 YA book by Courtney Summers, who endeavored to mix matters of adolescent concern with a zombie outbreak situation. Writer/director Adam MacDonald (“Pyewacket,” “Backcountry”) attempts to bring such tonal balance to the screen with his take on the source material, though he amplifies the horror angle to help give the picture some edge. “This Is Not a Test” hopes to deliver a “Breakfast Club” meets “Dawn of the Dead” event with its study of teen concern during an apocalyptic situation, and MacDonald brings just enough oddity to help support the effort. There’s blood everywhere and high school concerns, and while the offering isn’t entirely thrilling, MacDonald does a fine job with atmosphere at times as the characters face unusual points of pressure while the world falls apart around them. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com