The Neon Dead is a bright-eyed, well-intentioned hodgepodge of genres that showcases its director’s skill set in special effects and his weakness in other departments to mildly entertaining results.

In a rather clever opening shot, we quickly surmise that Allison (Marie Barker) has just graduated from college with a degree in business management, just moved into the family mansion and is actively seeking work. After scheduling an interview she goes about getting ready, only to find the decaying, and strangely glowing, figure of a decaying ancestor casually barring entry to the master bathroom. At the suggestion of a girl scout, who coincidentally is in the neighborhood on a fundraising campaign, Allison calls two local paranormal experts to come help her.

Enter “Desmond (Greg Garrison) and Jake (D. Dylan Schettina): Professional Paranormal Investigators” Shirking their jobs as video store clerks in a supermarket, they arrive to unravel the mystery of the burgeoning ghost population on Allison’s estate. As the story unfolds, we discover that Allison’s ancestors dabbled in voodoo, the occult, and intergalactic/dimensional communications with interstellar demons. How do our heroes rid themselves of the mushrooming population of the phosphorescent monsters? What brought them on in the first place? Why is salt a weapon?

Taking cues from irreverent, horror comedies like Zombieland and Killer Clowns From Outer Space, things are played fast and loose. Nothing is ever treated with any real gravity as this is built to thrill and entertain. Unfortunately it only succeeds in doing either of those a handful of times.

Writer, director Torey Haas began his career in visual effects (V/H/S Viral, Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie) and is trying his hand at new tasks. Unfortunately the writing is clunky, the editing gives the film a choppy cadence, and as demons appear, monsters rise, and creatures glow inexplicably to facilitate snazzy special effects we are reminded again and again of Haas’ original skill set. When the titular monsters do appear, the film takes on a hyper-saturated, dazzling quality of high contrast that is pure eye-candy. Haas and his technical team excel for the most part in these moments of the film. The plot may be folding in on itself, the dialogue a numbing mess, but dammit the movie looks so cool.

In the end the spasmodic plotting, the overwrought dialogue, and the serviceable performances upstage Haas and his ability to tickle our eyes. This is not to say Haas should not try, trying is good. He just needs to try again.

The Neon Dead will be available to rent or own on DVD and Digital HD nationwide on September 13th.

The DVD release of The Neon Dead (SRP $19.95) will exclusively include a feature-length commentary with director Torey Haas, bonus scenes, two monster shorts (First Date, Troll Picnic) by director Torey Haas and a creature profile.