Capable casting aids suitably scary, partly campy cult remake.

Rating: Null/10 (4 April 2004)

Rating: *** (out of *****)
I hereby pronounce that the remake of 1978's Dawn of the Dead is among the best of the cheap horror films that I've seen in the last few years. Slick and gory without becoming too camp, it doesn't cop out, doesn't bore and even has some wit.
The message of the film is simple - stop the zombies from spreading. They're everywhere! As the poster for the film says, there wasn't enough room for them in hell. And even if you do manage to escape, don't let them bite!
The film doesn't have the kind of character that great horror really needs, but I don't think it ever aspires to such a level. It's just a slasher film with the enemy within being zombies instead of deranged psychos, serial killers or werewolves. It has a tone reminiscent of the overlooked British werewolf flick, Dog Soldiers - that is, quite sardonic & clever, as well as genuinely chilling when you least expect it.
Capable casting is one of the reasons that the film works at all - during the film, you really do feel suspense and a certain degree of pity for the protagonists, even though the character-building moments seem pretty obligatory. It's especially nice to see Sarah Polley (who I haven't seen since 1999's Go) back in action, and Ving Rhames's presence is always welcome (though it's odd to see him in a low budget film).
OK, Dawn of the Dead is silly and unoriginal. But what would be the point of it if it wasn't at least a little of the former? All I know is, after the Wrong Turns and Michael Myers' unwelcome resurrections, you'll find this to be quite a scary surprise.