George A. Romero's Zombie Quadrilogy is much beloved by critics, film lovers, and genre fans throughout the world. In fact many are of the opinion that either Night of the Living Dead or Dawn of the Dead or both films are the greatest horror films ever made. Certainly the best zombie films ever made. So when a movie comes along that challenges the status quo and has people saying, "This is best zombie movie ever!" fans get defensive. Zack Snyder's DAWN OF THE DEAD remake is much beloved and also greatly hated amongst horror fans.
The dead first rose at night. Now the night is over, the first rays of sun ushering forth the terrible dawn. Ana awakes to the sight of her husband's throat being ripped open by the little neighbor girl. He bleeds out and dies in front of her. Then he gets up and attacks her! Ana escapes through the window, hops in the car, and takes off. As she drives she sees a swath of destruction and madness sweeping over the city. People being eaten alive in the streets. The dead getting up and sprinting after the living.
Ana ends up with a group of survivors inside a shopping mall complex. They try to make out a life together and figure out exactly what the hell is going on. She discovers that only those bitten turn into zombies, not those who die of natural causes or accidents. Zombies crowd around the mall in herds. They realize they can't stay there forever. The zombies will eventually get in. Using what supplies and transportation they have, Ana and the group make a getaway for the boat docks. Hundreds of zombies swarm them. Will they make it out alive or will they be eaten alive?
Two years prior a film came out titled 28 Days Later. It introduced a new take on zombie horror. A virus referred to as the Rage Virus infects people, makes their temperatures skyrocket, and turns them into homicidal animalistic monsters. They run. Blood runs from their mouth, nose, and eyes. These things were terrifying! They weren't zombies in the traditional or Romero sense but people started referring to them as such. Zack Snyder recreates these "track star" zombies (my term for them) in his film. I hadn't yet seen 28 Days Later when my buddy Red and I went to see Dawn in a theater.
I had never seen zombies like these before. I had never seen violence as graphic as this on the big screen before. The film is fast paced and streamlined. There aren't too many dull moments in the film. Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Ty Burrell, Mekhi Phifer, and Michael Kelly do outstanding jobs in this film too. The characters are clearly defined, interesting, and entertaining. The standout actor in this film is Mr. Jake Weber. His characterization is believable and likable. This movie made me a fan of his work. Hollywood needs to give him more high profile jobs. I'm being serious. This actor is good.
James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) wrote the screenplay. Tyler Bates (300, Rob Zombie's Halloween) composes the score too. The movie is well put together and a delightfully entertaining popcorn film. The problem here arises when someone says that this film is better than the original. They start picking apart everything about the original that's different than the remake and trash talking it. That kind of talk is what really pisses people off. It's not the movie fans of the original hate but the people who've only seen the new one and open their mouths without thinking or realizing what they're saying. Don't trash talk something you haven't seen or read either (a good rule to live by).
All in all I enjoy Zack Snyder's film very much. I'd say that this movie is what really popularized the track star zombies and is one of the major reasons why zombies have made as big a comeback in pop culture as they have. I should note that I also own George Romero's Dawn of the Dead Ultimate Edition 4 disc DVD set from Anchor Bay, seen all the different versions, and watched the special features. I love the original 1978 film. But I greatly enjoy this one too, proof that you can like both.
Overall Ranking: 6 out of 10
Nude-O-Meter: 3 out of 10
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