It's a zombie film, it credits Romero's Screenplay and it's called Dawn of the Dead; but somehow it doesn't feel like it belongs in the "Dead" series

Rating: 8/10 (27 March 2004)

Have just seen the "re-envisioning" of Dawn of the Dead and overall really enjoyed this film (certainly more so than I would have expected). The directing and shutter speed was very much in your face - this is indeed undead for the MTV generation.
Phantom Menace was dubbed Star Wars Episode 1. It sounded and looked like a Star Wars movie but after watching it the first time - you kind of didn't feel like you had just watched a Star Wars film. This movie leaves you feeling the same way - it is a zombie film, it credits Romero's Screenplay and it is called Dawn of the Dead; but somehow it doesn't feel like it belongs in the "Dead" series. For me - they could have given this one a completely non-related title and it would have stood on its own merits. Not being titled Dawn of the Dead would actually have removed much of the baggage that comes with reworking such a well-loved classic.
SPOILERS> The opening sequence where Ana leaves her house and surveys the carnage taking place on her doorstep whilst helicopters buzz overhead was tremendous. The aerial photography that follows as Ana takes a car journey to safety was breathtaking. Awesome. To be fair, as the opening credits roll - those scenes set a standard which the film struggles to maintain thereafter.
Whilst the Mall in the original DOTD was brightly lit by fluorescent light this new film delivers a claustrophobic, spot lit location which ensures many shocks and never actually portrays the mall as a safe haven. Watching this film is a truly gruelling experience - I felt physically exhausted as I left the Cinema.
In the original DOTD there is sufficient character development to ensure that we feel sympathy for the characters, we understand them and believe in them. With the exception of Ana, Michael and Kenneth there is no characterisation in this new movie. You never get to know the characters and writing these comments I am struggling to remember the names of the supporting cast.
The plot suffered from many moments that just did not make sense: 1. How come Nicole drives the truck over to Andy's to fetch the dog? Couldn't they just whistle to recall the dog? If you could get a truck over there then why didn't they save Andy earlier? 2. Why does everyone go through the sewers to rescue Nicole from Andy's shop? If you could get over there by sewer then why didn't they save Andy earlier? Why bother messing about in sewers anyway when you have two reinforced buses in your garage? 3. Why does CJ hang around on the last bus instead of escaping? This is purely a plot device to enable him to die an heroic death and redeem himself for earlier actions when he subjugated the other survivors. 4. Why did the bloated fat woman become athletic once undead? Why does being undead bestow such high levels of physical fitness? (Fitness that was not there whilst the person was in life)?
I really struggle with this last point and whilst I welcome the zombie movie mini-revival which is taking place - I have to say that I am a bit of a purist and prefer the undead to shuffle along. All of this running around is clearly inspired by "28 Days Later" - but let's be clear - the creatures in "28 Days Later" are NOT zombies or undead, they are plague victims.
This sounds like I am moaning. I am not. DOTD (2004) is a great film - an 8 out of 10 for me and I eagerly anticipate the DVD release.
It is well reported elsewhere but if you watch all of the end credits then the fate of the survivors is revealed; you won't miss this closing footage because a thoughtfully used "tit shot" ensures that the credits keep your attention! (It works for me)!
References to other movies I noticed included: PSYCHO - Ana falling in her bath and pulling the shower curtain down whilst covered in blood. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD - Ana's car rolls down a hill and strikes a tree. 28 DAYS LATER - Substitute mall security guards for British Army troops ruling over the survivors; the virus based contagion and the athletic zombies sprinting to catch their prey. DAWN OF THE DEAD - Protagonists holed up in a shopping mall whilst the undead roam outside. ALIEN - although the filmmakers shied away from actually having an undead baby burst from the unfortunate Luda's body. TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE - the scenes where Zombies are despatched from the outside of the bus and the horrifying scene where the blonde (don't remember her name) is sliced through - Tobe Hooper would have loved that scene in his movie! ZOMBIE FLESH-EATERS (ZOMBI 2) - Zombies occupying a remote island accessible by yacht. SE7EN - the head in the box.