Universal Pictures
Written by James Gunn & Scott Frank
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Ving Rhames, Sarah Polley, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Barry, Lindy Booth, Jane Eastwood, Matt Frewer
“When there is no more room in Hell, the dead shall walk the Earth….”
Ah…..I love the smell of fresh zombies in the morning. I have been waiting for this remake for a very long time now, ever since I heard the first rumors of it after Night of the Living Dead was remade back in 1990. When Dawn of the Dead was released into theaters in March 2004, I did not see it because I am typically not one for the movie complexes anymore. Too many distractions, too many kids, too many brain dead parents bringing babies into rated R movies with them because they couldn’t find a babysitter and cannot accept that their lives have changed after having kids (but that’s a rant for another day, dear readers….). Hence, I resigned myself to wait ever so patiently for the DVD release. I was not disappointed.
Purists may decry this remake as lacking when compared to the original. Well, each “original” has its fanatical following. Don’t get me wrong; the original DOTD was great. George Romero’s sense of humor and style were at an all-time high when he made it. But let’s face the brutal facts, kiddies: times have a-changed. Our expectations of horror films have grown. We need more meat. DOTD version 2.0 delivers this in great abundance.
Looking for Oscar-caliber performances? Get real. This is a horror film in its natural beauty, reveling in puddles of blood and gore. This isn’t to say the actors don’t do a good job. It simply isn’t the focus (and if it is, I feel quite sad for you…..). This movie is not scary so much as it is intense. It moves quickly, not wasting time leading into too much character development, leaving that to occur over the course of the film as each character is introduced. The effects, while relatively simple overall, are effective. I am drawn at this moment to commending the special effects team for providing us with some of the most realistic kill scenes (there is a whole section in the Special Features that details how the team was able to come up with such great shots and effects of zombies being shot in the head, heads blowing apart, zombies and living alike getting plowed over by vehicles….you know, the expected standard ultra-violence….heh heh heh….). I have yet to explore all of the Special Features and I am looking forward to it.
Overall, DOTD v2.0 stays fairly close to the version 1.0, placing the main action/storyline inside of a local mall where survivors from the outlying area have gathered after the zombie infestation begins. I recall laughing quite a bit while watching version 1.0 – infused with visual commentary from Romero about America’s overwhelming gluttony of consumerism and commercialism (setting the movie in a mall because that is where the zombies recall being “happy”, watching zombies ride the escalators once they get in and tripping over themselves because, well, they’re dead, etc.). DOTD v2.0 does not attempt to be light-hearted. Be warned that there are some really intense scenes and some that may shock. But that’s the point. Enjoy the ride.
For horror aficionados, this is great movie, exhibiting all of the elements sought: intensity, nearly hopeless chase scenes, around the corner “boo!” scenes, and enough blood and guts to keep everyone happy. I give Dawn of the Dead two devil horns, way up. Check it out. If you dare (insert Sean’s trademarked “Evil Laugh” right...about....here)……….