Beware: the rules have changed

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2004)

This movie, the latest in the "zombie genre", is probably on e of the most intense movies I have seen in a long time. The fact that nobody seems to know what is really happening gives it a more realistic feel (and not necessarily a happy feel, either). Those who survive to congregate at the mall have each undergone a trial by fire to get there, and "the fun is just beginning". Television broadcast (and what radio broadcast they can find) all pretty much lead to the same conclusion- this seems to be happening everywhere, so there might not be any safe havens left (other than where they are right now- the mall). As far as the "rules of zombie movies" (which were pretty much established by George Romero in the original Night of the Living Dead) go,there have been some definite changes: 1.Not everyone who has ever died is being resurrected. Only those who are actually bitten are becoming zombies. 2.If someone gets killed by any means other than being bitten, that person is dead. 3.The infection is a blood-borne pathogen, so anything feeding directly off of the bloodstream of the victim is also infected (unborn children of infected mothers, in other words). 4.The infection heightens the adrenal gland's output to phenomenal levels, resulting in increased speed, enhanced strength, and single-mindedness of purpose: to feed! 5.Feeding seems to be as simple as a single bite of uninfected flesh, or a mouthful of uninfected blood. There are no absolute feeding frenzies resulting in the total dismemberment of the victim. 6.Animals are of no importance to zombies, and are, therefore, ignored. The only rule that seems to be the same is: shoot them in the head to totally stop them. The only thing I will say about the plot is: the best laid plans often go wrong (or just don't turn out exactly as planned). I did truly enjoy this movie ,and can't wait to see what these new rules spawn.