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Dawn of
the Dead
A film review by Taryn A. Harris
I saw Gothika the day it opened on November
21st, 2003 and I remember how excited I was after seeing the
trailer for Dawn of the Dead. I clapped and shouted,
"Woo Hoo!" and had to quickly simmer down because I
was alone in my excitement.
On Friday, March 19th, I was no longer
alone. I was part of a sold-out show and we were there
to see a quality horror flick.
Let me start by saying that Dawn of the
Dead 2004, is not the same film as the original.The original
1978 film was written and directed by George A. Romero.
He's the genius behind Creepshow, Monkey Shines and The Dark
Half. The new film is based on George A. Romero's screenplay,
but written by James Gunn, of Tromaville and Scooby-Doo I and
II. Zack Snyder is the director of Dawn of the Dead
2004. I don't know who the hell this guy is, but he's brilliant!
The opening sequence is fantastic.
It sets the tone for the entire film. One day you're a
nurse (Polley) at the end of a long shift and the next you're
watching the neighbor girl (Hannah Lochner) rip your husband's
(Justin Louis) neck to shreds.
I squealed in delight watching the new,
quicker, not-so-dumb zombies in action as the neighbor girl and
the husband chase after Polley's character. The filming
itself is great. The grainy, shaky camera work enhances
the feeling of disorientation and disbelief at the turn of events.
I watched in horror as Ana's suburban enclave came crashing and
burning down around her. Neighbors, killing neighbors.
The fear of death by people once loved. "When there's
no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."
Ana escapes the wreckage and encounters
Kenneth (Rhames) a police officer and a small group of survivors
who suggest they head to the mall --the appropriately named,
Crossroads Mall. The mall proves to be safe for a bit until
they meet the Redneck Security Trio headed by CJ (Michael Kelly).
CJ would've been at home in the original Dawn of the Dead.
He sees two enemies, the zombies and anyone who isn't part of
his trio. He's an angry bully, but in the end he goes down
a hero.
The film has many giggle-worthy moments,
several provided by the lazy, selfish and wisecracking metrosexual
Steve played by Ty Burrell and a very amusing zombie-in-labor
scene.
The original film is a social commentary
as well as a horror flick, but the new film retains the message
of people surviving and working together despite their differences.
Dawn of the Dead 2004 is a good film and I enjoyed myself, but
I think I prefer my zombies slow and stupid.
Kudos to the cast which includes Sarah
Polley (Ana), Ving Rhames (Kenneth), Michael (Jake Weber), Mekhi
Phifer (Andre), Michael Kelly (CJ), Kevin Zegers (Terry), Lindy
Booth (Nicole), Inna Korobkina (Luda), Bruce Bohne (Andy) and
Hannah Lochner (Vivian). Noteworthy cameos by Tom Savini
(Horror Special Effects Master) as a County Sheriff and Ken Foree
(Peter Washington from the original Dawn of the Dead)
as a televangelist.
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