Deserves a Seat Among Zombie Greatness

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2004)

I saw this film last night with a friend of mine. I absolutely loved it, but sitting there, knowing my friend was a stickler and elitist about such things, I wondered what he was thinking. After we left the theater (yes, and into a mall), I asked him his opinion and as par for the course, he went on to talk about how "As Dawn of The Dead had more 'stupid' action, 28 Days Later was superior because it was acted better, had a stronger plot, was tied together nicely at the end and was uplifting." If you ask me.. do you go to a zombie flick to feel uplifted? No! You want pure hell on earth. You want chaos, and to see how people react to that situation. I won't make fun of '28 Days' because there are fans of it out there, but I think that's a niche zombie film. Dawn of The Dead deserves a seat alongside the rest of Romero's Living Dead films as classic zombie fare. Also, what's the fun of a neat-and-clean ending? Zombies ARE hell on earth. You can't possibly stop it, if it were to happen. There would be no 'nice clean endings' except your own death, given that this was for real. I won't spoil anything, but you will be satisfied at the ending, if you want this world to continue for a possible sequel.. Yes, there are some cinematic licenses taken (such as when the girl goes to save her dog, Chips. Blatant stupid plot device), but if you consider it, rational thought WOULD escape you somewhat, if you were in this situation. The first few minutes of the film try to toss you into this world, and do so excellently.Camera work was innovative, and really tossed you into this chaotic world satisfyingly quick. I knew right before the credits were rolling at the start of the film, that I was in for an excellent time. I wasn't let down. DotD definetely delivers pure action, solid acting, solid plot, excellent, 'bought' special effects, and well done tension. I personally loved how the screenwriters explored what else someone could do in such a world..how different people might react.. (overzealous, hick security guards from Wisconsin bieng one example,) This, I feel, is the second best zombie film i've seen, only rivaling Night of The Living Dead. The original 'Dawn' was far, far too slow, acting poor, and the social commentary, while commended, was not needed. Leave that to Sci-Fi films with apes in em, okay? I'm ready for Resident Evil Apocalypse now!