A great film, regardless of it's predecessor

Rating: 9/10 (20 March 2004)

Many people are giving this film low scores based simply on the fact that it's based off one of the best zombie films of all time. I say they're morons. Drop the Romero-elitist attitudes and recognize this film as a separate entity that deserves an unbiased and objective review, just like any other film.
Now that I've said that, I'd like to say that this movie was simply awesome. This was one of the best zombie movies I've ever seen, and also a fantastic horror/action film in general. I loved "28 Days Later" moreso than most, but this film blows it out of the water. The movie sucks you right in from the very beginning. The directing, costume/makeup and camera work is downright phenomenal for this genre. All too often with past zombie flicks I've found myself less than pleased with the way shots were done, the way action was communicated and even the appearance of the zombies. Not so in Dawn of the Dead.
Character development is good and not overdone. By that, I mean you learn enough about the characters to really relate to them, but you're left with enough room to imagine yourself in the same situation and develop your own view of each of the characters, instead of sitting there watching long close-ups and inner-thought dialogs wondering what the hell is going on in the character's head while the writer futilely tries to communicate some deep emotion. This is a zombie movie, we're not here to ponder sentiment, we're here to be flung head-first into the dark, frightening, hopeless experience of Hell on Earth, and that's exactly what has been delivered with "Dawn of the Dead".
I gave this film a 9/10. It's my new favorite horror movie of all time (the former being Romero's "Night of the Living Dead"). You will get the crap scared out of you, and if you like horror movies at all, you will love every second of this one. :)