Product: Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Rating: 3.0
"They're coming to get you in color, Barbara..."
Horror film makeup artist Tom Savini directed this color remake of the landmark 1968 film, which really doesn't offer us anything the original doesn't - especially since the black and white picture and low budget were a large part of the original film's charm to begin with. Essentially the same format, with several strangers barricading themselves inside an abandoned farmhouse while flesh eating zombies ravage the countryside. Instead of sinking into catatonia, Barbara (Patricia Tallman) becomes confident and aggressive. Ben (Tony Todd) is competent but he doesn't overshadow the late Duane Jones in his role. Harry Cooper (Tom Towles) is just an obnoxious jerk, and very annoying. The original Harry Cooper (Karl Hardman) was a jerk too - but the guy was obviously terrified. The other characters aren't painted very well, and there's actually less munching on the living characters here. Curiously, in this one no explanation is offered as to why the dead are rising up and attacking the living. Very little script changes until the end. Passable Saturday afternoon fare, but definitely preferable to the colorized 1968 version.