Dawn of the Dead

[Sun Tzu]

I've been waiting about a year for today to come. Today the "remake" of George A. Romero's classic film <i>Dawn of the Dead</i> starts playing in a theater near you. I am a huge fan of the unholy trilogy. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about just google George A Romero's name and you'll find out in a second. But for those of you who are ultra lazy and wont even take the effort to click on the address bar (or home button if you make google your homepage) I'll give you a brief once over. In 1968 Romero made Night of the Living Dead. Ten years later Romero made a sequel called Dawn of the Dead. And seven years after that he introduced a third installment in the series called Day of the Dead. Now what sets Romero's movie's apart from all of the other Zombie movies is this. Firstly the Zombie's move incredibly slow, slow enough to the point where you can just run by them if they are spaced out. Secondly the <b>only</b> way to kill them is by seperating the brain from the rest of the body, or just damaging the brain itself. The reason is they are only operating on bare instincts. Shooting a zombie who is operating on nothing but motorized instincts in the leg or chest isn't going to do much. Thirdly the dead will only reanimate and become a zombie if they have died recently. Unlike 99% of the other zombie movies out there, bodies that have been six feet under for a couple hundred years (which by all means should make them nothing but bones) wont rise from the grave. If the brain has been decomposed too much then reanimation is not possible. And fourthly zombies do not have any means for deliberation, or problem solving. Again it is operating on nothing but motorized instinct.

So on to this "remake" of Dawn of the Dead. I have read many script reviews and unfortunately it sounds like this movie is going to be just another teeny bopper "lets take my sophomore sweetheart to the theater for a quick scare" movie. The Zombies run, jump, figure out puzzles, and I wouldn't be surprised if one drives a car. Also there are zombie dogs in the movie. Let me say this again, THERE ARE ZOMBIE DOGS IN THE MOVIE. The entire point of Romero's movies was that Mankind was f'ing up the world and killing eachother left and right, so god sent down a curse to raise the dead (humans). This completely defeats the purpose of what Romero created. Also the 78' Dawn directors cut had a running time of close to three hours. This new "remake" barely gets past an hour and a half. How can you possibly remake a movie and cut the running time in HALF?!?!?!?

I'm trying to keep an open mind for when I go to see it. But I can't ignore all of the things that I have read and seen in the previews. I wouldn't have any problem with this movie if it weren't called Dawn of the Dead. If they called it "Zombie Attack!" or something like that then I wouldn't ramble on about how much they f'ed up would could (and should) have been a good zombie flick. But no, they butchered the name of a classic movie. While Romero has been trying to get funding for a fourth installment to the series for 5 years now, Hollywood puts this roadkill on my plate and calls it filet mignon. The whole Romero nation gave a big "ahhhh crap" when they announced that James Gunn (of scooby doo fame!) was going to be writting the remake...ugh.

Sorry if I sound like a bit of a drama king. But imagine if they remade your favorite movie of all time into a teeny bopper movie. I'm not saying they harmed the original, because the original is untouchable, but it still sucks that they did this. :p

[sachmo71]

What about the one where the zombie grabs the CB and says... "Senddd moreee copsss" so he can eat them? And they nuke the town at the end?

[WSUCougar]

All those in favor of Sun Tzu's title being changed to "Zombie Boy" say aye.

AYE.

[Sun Tzu]

That was <i>Revenge of the Dead</i>, which has nothing to do with Romero's movies. Again another Zombie movie that I have no problem watching because you know what to expect.

*edit*

AYE (...is title that little name under your message board handle?)

[Honolulu_Blue]

I've been waiting about a year for today to come. Today the "remake" of George A. Romero's classic film <i>Dawn of the Dead</i> starts playing in a theater near you. I am a huge fan of the unholy trilogy. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about just google George A Romero's name and you'll find out in a second. But for those of you who are ultra lazy and wont even take the effort to click on the address bar (or home button if you make google your homepage) I'll give you a brief once over. In 1968 Romero made Night of the Living Dead. Ten years later Romero made a sequel called Dawn of the Dead. And seven years after that he introduced a third installment in the series called Day of the Dead. Now what sets Romero's movie's apart from all of the other Zombie movies is this. Firstly the Zombie's move incredibly slow, slow enough to the point where you can just run by them if they are spaced out. Secondly the <b>only</b> way to kill them is by seperating the brain from the rest of the body, or just damaging the brain itself. The reason is they are only operating on bare instincts. Shooting a zombie who is operating on nothing but motorized instincts in the leg or chest isn't going to do much. Thirdly the dead will only reanimate and become a zombie if they have died recently. Unlike 99% of the other zombie movies out there, bodies that have been six feet under for a couple hundred years (which by all means should make them nothing but bones) wont rise from the grave. If the brain has been decomposed too much then reanimation is not possible. And fourthly zombies do not have any means for deliberation, or problem solving. Again it is operating on nothing but motorized instinct.

So on to this "remake" of Dawn of the Dead. I have read many script reviews and unfortunately it sounds like this movie is going to be just another teeny bopper "lets take my sophomore sweetheart to the theater for a quick scare" movie. The Zombies run, jump, figure out puzzles, and I wouldn't be surprised if one drives a car. Also there are zombie dogs in the movie. Let me say this again, THERE ARE ZOMBIE DOGS IN THE MOVIE. The entire point of Romero's movies was that Mankind was f'ing up the world and killing eachother left and right, so god sent down a curse to raise the dead (humans). This completely defeats the purpose of what Romero created. Also the 78' Dawn directors cut had a running time of close to three hours. This new "remake" barely gets past an hour and a half. How can you possibly remake a movie and cut the running time in HALF?!?!?!?

I'm trying to keep an open mind for when I go to see it. But I can't ignore all of the things that I have read and seen in the previews. I wouldn't have any problem with this movie if it weren't called Dawn of the Dead. If they called it "Zombie Attack!" or something like that then I wouldn't ramble on about how much they f'ed up would could (and should) have been a good zombie flick. But no, they butchered the name of a classic movie. While Romero has been trying to get funding for a fourth installment to the series for 5 years now, Hollywood puts this roadkill on my plate and calls it filet mignon. The whole Romero nation gave a big "ahhhh crap" when they announced that James Gunn (of scooby doo fame!) was going to be writting the remake...ugh.

Sorry if I sound like a bit of a drama king. But imagine if they remade your favorite movie of all time into a teeny bopper movie. I'm not saying they harmed the original, because the original is untouchable, but it still sucks that they did this. :p

I am with you 100%.

I have long loved the zombie movie. Appreciated it in its many forms. Dawn is the best of them all. Night. A classic. It was the first. (the remake wasn't all that bad either). Day. A very solid film. Excellent. The Romero trilogy defined zombies and they are as Sun described. ("28 Days Later" had a different take on it. But the distinction is clear: (1) those people were infected and not dead and (2) They were infected with rage, Rage "zombies" don't shuffle, they run, they jump, they are filled with boundless rage).

Ever since I saw the first trailer on the internet for "Dawn" I knew I wouldn't be happy. Zombies were running, jumping, etc. Those aren't zombies. Zombies shuffle and moan. One zombie, no problem, it's the fact that there are hundreds, thousands, and the more you put down, the more come. I have read reviews where they try to reason this in the flick. Allegedly, they saw the zombies can move so fast because they are "newly" dead and their muscles are such haven't decayed at all, hence the athletic zombie. But, this all falls apart as the movie progesses, because even after a few months all the zombies are running around, fresh as the day they died.

I also take it this movie wont have a messsage. Each movie of the original trilogy had a theme: attacking McCarthyism, Consumerism, and the Military, respectively. (There were other themes sprinkled throughout race relations, etc. but those were the main ones). I reckon this movie wont have such a message. It will just be zombies for zombies' sake. Hey, I am all for more zombie movies, but they should at least strive for something a little more than a cheap scare and some blood 'n' guts.

If you love zombies, I'd reccommend the board game "Maul of America." It's based heavily off "Dawn of the Dead." Basically you play a guy/girl with a weapon in a mall and have to try to lock all the doors before the endless hoardes of zombies eat you. A good friend of mine published an expansion for it (more weapons, armor, new rules, etc.) Great time.

Scooby-Doo indeed...

[hukarez]

Really now!

It's all about Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive!" movie. Just forget about the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and reflect on his greatest achievement ever! :p

[samifan24]

Aye, Zombie Boy, Aye. ;)

[Fidatelo]

Harrrrr!

Wait, wrong thread...

[rkmsuf]

Day of the Day, Night of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Dead of the Dead. It's hard to keep track.

I'll take Night of the Comet any day...

[VPI97]

I'll take Night of the Comet any day...Yes.

[Tekneek]

What about the one where the zombie grabs the CB and says... "Senddd moreee copsss" so he can eat them? And they nuke the town at the end?

Return of the Living Dead

[Tekneek]

Really now!

It's all about Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive!" movie. Just forget about the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and reflect on his greatest achievement ever! :p

Brilliant film and it served as my introduction to Peter Jackson's work. I think I saw it for the first time about 8 years ago.

[Hurst2112]

One thing I agree with is something my wife read about the origional Romero movies.

The whole premise of Zombie movies was a great evolution in film. Back in 68, nobody ever saw a movie like Romero's. That's what made it such a great film...even to this day.

Now, after almost 40 years of directors and movie makers growing up with his stuff...we have shitty horror movies...mainly because there isn't anything else to see.

Night of the Living Dead and Salem's Lot are 2 movies that I can't watch alone at night...even 20 years after I saw them for the first time.

Horror perfection.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'll take Night of the Comet any day...
Catherine Mary Stewart ... Mmmm.

[hukarez]

Brilliant film and it served as my introduction to Peter Jackson's work. I think I saw it for the first time about 8 years ago.
Yep! Same here. Back at the dorms at UCSB, I remember renting this thing from nearby Emerald video. I think it was the longest film next to "Interview with a Vampire" that I've seen. At least, in recent memory. Top notch special effects. ;)

[Easy Mac]

If you haven't seen it, you can see the first 9 minutes online. Not sure the site, but its out there. I can't say I was impressed with the content (though it looks promising for nudity!), but the shots looked nice (so its at least a pretty movie and sets the mood).

[Tekneek]

Catherine Mary Stewart ... Mmmm.

Awww yeah!

[Tekneek]

Yep! Same here. Back at the dorms at UCSB, I remember renting this thing from nearby Emerald video. I think it was the longest film next to "Interview with a Vampire" that I've seen. At least, in recent memory. Top notch special effects. ;)

I gather you saw the "unrated" version, right? There is an "R-rated" version floating around that most rental places have. It is incredibly tame compared to the other one.

[rjolley]

Ok, you said the zombies aren't smart in Romero's flicks, but doesn't a professor in Day of the Dead teach one of them to not attack, and said zombie even shots the head bad guy in the end?

(It's the one where the lady prof, the 'copter pilot, and his assistant escape to some beach in the end)

[Sun Tzu]

The movie you're talking about is Day of the Dead. Romero said that the zombie you're talking about, "Bub" is an exception. Bub was Dr. Logan's (a scientist in Day) star pupil zombie. Logan was doing research on how to tame zombies, trying to take advantage of zombies that had only been dead for a short time, who he thought would still have the capability for deliberation because that section of the brain had not been decayed yet. However 100% of the zombies Logan worked on other than Bub showed no signs of progress. Bub was different, Bub made Day of the Dead that much more special. Yes Bub did shoot the main bad guy (who was played by Joe Pilato) at the end of the movie. Bub was also able to recognize objects such as a shaving razor, a telephone, a toothbrush, and even a tape player (music) when they were put in front of him. It's pretty much widely accepted that Bub was the only Zombie that was and ever will be capable of doing these things. Romero wanted to create a zombie that people could identify with. Also Day of the Dead explains how kooky people get when they are locked up in an underground base like they were. The purpose of Bub was to show that when the shit hits the fan, the most compassionate and sane person around will be a zombie.

[Rizon]

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiins !!!!!!!!!!

[RawIsDan]

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiins !!!!!!!!!!

lol..I keep remembering that one Simpsons episode with the zombies.

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiins ???!!!!!!

[Nyarlahotep]

The Zombies run, jump, figure out puzzles, and I wouldn't be surprised if one drives a car.

I seem to recall something about a zombie driving a car in Day of the Dead (not shown, just mentioned).

[Flame Eater]

Which movie had the tasty red head dancing naked in the grave yard?

[Cuckoo]

Return of the Living Dead II if I'm not mistaken. They got acid-rained on. :)

[Mota]

Tasty redhead was actually a porn star. Linnea Quigley? Movie was Return of the Living Dead.

The Dawn of the Dead remake was filmed across the street from my old house. I used to go shopping there once in a while, but it was a really cruddy mall so typically I'd go elsewhere for my shopping (hence why the mall closed down and why they got to film this movie there). The zombie "chaotic streets" parts were filmed on Cherry St. in downtown Toronto, basically off the beaten path down by the waterfront (the street the Docks is on if you're familiar with the area). Very cool stuff. Hopefully the movie ends up being okay.

[k0ruptr]

AYE

[Sun Tzu]

I seem to recall something about a zombie driving a car in Day of the Dead (not shown, just mentioned).

The zombie was supposedely sitting in a car. He sarcastically said it was "trying to drive down broadway" but he was only saying it non-seriously in reply to something else that was said.

[Nyarlahotep]

The zombie was supposedely sitting in a car. He sarcastically said it was "trying to drive down broadway" but he was only saying it non-seriously in reply to something else that was said.

Sad thing is I just watched it Thursday and I don't remember well enough to be sure what was said.

[Calis]

Didn't feel like starting a whole new Zombie thread, so I decided I'd resurrect this one.

Anyway, so I saw Dawn of the Dead friday and while I liked it for the fact it had Zombies in it..aside from that it didn't offer a whole lot. It did however rekindle my interest in the original Romero trilogy. So I went out and bought Night of the Living Dead and Dawn.

The problem..I picked up the 30th Anniversary Edition of Night and it's one of the most horrible atrocities done to a film I've ever seen. The guy that plays the Preacher could very well qualify as the worst actor in the history of film. It's just bad..the sound, the new scenes...ughh..wish I'd of known.

For Dawn I got the Special Divimax Edition which appears to be top notch. So I'm wondering before I go back out, what Night edition should I buy? I'd like one with Romero's commentary and not hacked all to hell. Seems like there's about 900 versions of this thing out there.

Same question about Day, but I think the Divimax is the way to go on that one as well.

Man I love these movies.

[Sun Tzu]

They have a great version of Day out on DVD. It has all kinds of extras, as well as a little booklet inside. Personally I don't have a preference over either of the Night movies. How exactly did they mess up the original night?

[Calis]

In the 30th Anniversary edition..think John Russo? The writer of it, they got together and added about 20-30 minutes worth of new scenes and tried to fit into the old one, and cut some of the original stuff out. They also redid all of the sound and added an original score to it.

The new scenes add absolutely nothing to the movie, and it actually ruins the "plausibility" of Dawn and Day with the new epilogue. It's just horrible all around really. If you haven't seen it, I suggest renting it as the atrocities can't really be explained in words. ;)

[Sun Tzu]

Big ouch

[Calis]

Yeah, was a bad deal.

What I hear is that Romero was against the idea of trying to add new stuff to it and ended up having nothing to do with it, but that Russo guy also has rights to do whatever he wants with the movie..so he basically re-tooled it to setup a sequel he's been planning, Children of the Dead.

Seriously though, if you get a chance to watch it, it's worth it for seeing the Preacher. Even better when you listen to the commentary and hear them praise how great of a job he did.

I'm still a bit angry that I wasted almost 20 bucks on this if you can't tell. ;)

[Pyser]

well...the only good thing i can say about this new version in theaters now is there were, in fact, no zombie dogs.

[Sun Tzu]

Correct, I'm pretty sure that there were Zombie dogs in the script, but it was scratched at the last moment...or something along those lines. I'm 100% sure that I read some script reviews that all mentioned zombie dogs. Maybe they actualy filmed that part of the movie, and that's why you never see the dog again after it goes over to the ammo shop and they find the girl.

[Mota]

Hey Calis I have the Elite Entertainment version of Night of the Living Dead, I don't think it's available anymore (paid $40 to get it last year), but it is by far the best version of this movie available on DVD. Picture is so clear it makes you wonder if it really was a low budget movie.

Dawn of the Dead I'd hold off on getting the DVD, from what I hear they're working on a "special edition" version to be released around Hallowe'en. This one was rushed out to be on shelves at the remake release date. I'm also hoping that they will use the uncut version which is 10 minutes longer. I have the uncut version on VHS and it is far better IMO.

For Day of the Dead the Divimax version is great, I don't think there are any other choices for this movie.

Oh, and as for the remake of Dawn of the Dead, I liked it a lot, although it wasn't really a remake. The only things it had in common with the original are zombies and a mall. Everything else is different. Considering I used to live basically across the street from that mall (you could see my old townhouse complex through the trees a few times, but they were trying not to film it), it was really neat to see how many changes they made to it. The entrance / fountain was basically untouched, but almost everything else was completely redone. And trust me that's a good thing, because that mall was awful.

[Mota]

Oh yeah, a few more things. The gunshop across the street was actually about a 40 minute drive away from the mall. It was filmed on Cherry Street by the waterside downtown Toronto, while the mall is just north of Toronto. I had seen some production photos and there was a big green screen to one side of the mall, and after watching the movie figured out why they were using it. Neat.

[Sun Tzu]

The Dawn of the Dead directors cut actualy had 20 minutes of new footage, not 10 minutes.

I too thought the new Dawn was a good movie, but not a remake.

[andy m]

people should go see shaun of the dead instead:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365748/

[Calis]

people should go see shaun of the dead instead:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365748/

I'm very anxious for that one to make it over here to the States. I think it looks pretty funny from the trailers. Not sure what the plans are as of yet with it though.

[Senator]

Night of the Living Dead --- FREE

NOTLD (http://www.archive.org/movies/movies-details-db.php?collection=feature_films&collectionid=night_of_the_living_dead&from=mostViewed)

[BreizhManu]

It's all about Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive!" movie.

Also known as "Braindead" for people outside USA (and as "Tu madre se ha
comido a mi perro" in spain) seen it in theaters in 1992, great experience, still one of my favourite movies.

Oh and I think there were a few scenes cut in Dead Alive, so if you have to see a version look for a braindead one.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I know I am about 3 months (and a few days) late on this, but shit comes out a little later in Europe from time to time.

I finally caught the remake of "Dawn of the Dead." And I must say... Freakin' awesome!! Wow. It was really one of the better times I've had in the theater for sometime now. Fabulous flick. Tense. Good action. Good pacing. I loved it. I'd have to say it's the best zombie movie I've seen and I've seen the vast majority of them.

It didn't really have a message at all like the original Dawn, Night (even the remake), or Day. It was pretty much just a good, old fashioned action flick with zombies. That said, it was classic. The entire opening sequence was genious. The slow build up to things, all the little clues building up and leading to the little girl and Sarah's flight from the burbs. The chaos and insanity was just perfect, especially the over head shot with van smashing into that car. Between that shot, the chainsway (oh my, the chainsaw!) and the over-head shot of the two buses surrounded by thousands of zombies it was spectacular. No zombie movie has had the budget to really capture anything on this scale before. I was most definitely pleased.