Writer: James Gunn (Screenplay) George A Romero (Story)
Starring: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Mekhi Phifer, Ty Burrell, Michael Kelly, Kevin Zegers, Michael Barry, Lindy Booth
Plot: A nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman, and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: One of the Best
Story: Dawn of the Dead starts with one of the best opening scenes in zombie movie history, as we follow nurse Ana (Polley) as she finishes work and goes about every week date night with her husband Lewis. All seems normal until the neighbourhood good Vivian turns up in their house, biting Lewis before Ana realizes she has woken up in the Dawn of the Dead as she looks for some form of safety.
Finding the city in complete chaos Ana must find somewhere for safety first by running into cop Kenneth (Rhames) followed closely by Michael (Weber), Andre (Phifer) and Luda (Korobkina). The answer to their problems lies in the shopping mall which security guards CJ (Kelly), Bart (Barry) and Terry (Zegers) have control over.
When more survivors turn up at the mall the group have to put their differences aside to figure out a way to survive once the mall becomes an attraction for all of the undead.
Dawn of the Dead is one of those remakes that works, the first film was incredible popular and this keeps the base story the same but brings the concept into the modern era of horror. No longer are the days of slow moving zombies we get fast paced none stop relentless zombies that become even scarier. There isn’t much to talk about with the story because it really is just about surviving but where this one really shines are in the brave side story with Andre and his bitten pregnant wife. I can’t see a bad thing in this film and it could easily be one of the most perfect zombie horror films of all time.
Actor Review
Sarah Polley: Ana is a nurse before the outbreak, she is the only character we got to meet before the outbreak but becomes a leading member of the group of survivors as her medical skills and human side shine through the animal like behave of the rest of the group. Sarah gives us a true nonsense performance in the leading role.
Ving Rhames: Kenneth is the cop that help Ana get to the mall, he only wants to get to his brother but finds himself being distant from the rest of the survivors but only so he can deal with things his own way. He is the toughest of all of the survivors and the most valuable member in combat. Ving is great in this role where he easily the most realistic in the zombie outbreak idea.
Jake Weber: Michael becomes the reluctant leader of the group, he hasn’t achieved much in his life but sees this as a chance to make up for his mistakes. Jake is good in this role as the reluctant hero showing anyone can lead when time calls for it.
Mekhi Phifer: Andre along with his pregnant wife find themselves in the mall, he keeps his wife hidden from the rest of the group because he knows the truth about her but still wants to have the baby. Mekhi gives us one of the most fascinating supporting characters in zombie films.
Michael Kelly: CJ is one of the security guards at the mall, he wants it to himself and the other guards, when the rest of the survivors turn up he sees them as a threat. After he gets taught that they are all after one thing and strength in numbers he becomes the go to guy for solutions with his knowledge of the mall. Michael gives a great performance in a role unlike most you will know him for.
Support Cast: Dawn of the Dead has a good supporting cast that are all very interesting characters to add to the zombie survival film.
Director Review: Zack Snyder – Zack shows that he was going to be one of the most popular directors around with this brilliant reimaging of a classic.
Action: Dawn of the Dead is filled with non-stop zombie killing action.
Horror: Dawn of the Dead brings a brand new look at terror through the zombie being fast and a new level of frightening.
Thriller: Dawn of the Dead keeps you wonder just where things will go, who will die and how they will make it out from start to finish.
Settings: Dawn of the Dead using the mall does work because you would have nearly everything you need there.
Special Effects: Dawn of the Dead has brilliant special effects from start to finish making you feel like you are part of the world.
Suggestion: Dawn of the Dead is a must watch for all horror fans out there even if you love the original you will love this one. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Pregnant side story.
Worst Part: One thing I noticed that I didn’t like was that one moment the zombies almost pause and wait to pounce, which doesn’t make sense.
Action Scene Of The Film: Rescue Andy.
Kill Of The Film: Chainsaw.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: This doesn’t have a sequel.
Post Credits Scene: During the credits there is a scene.
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $59 Million
Budget: $26 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes
Tagline: 36 billion people have died since the reign of humanity. For the new Dawn, there’s a reunion.
Trivia: Although he had strong reservations about some elements, George A. Romero professed to be surprisingly impressed with the film.
Overall: Breath taking roller coaster ride of a horror film.
Rating