Product: Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Rating: 5.0
Easily eclipses the original.
Out of respect,most filmmakers,especially first-timers such as Tom Savini,avoid attempting to remake classics.I understand there apprehension,some things are best left alone.This is a very rare instance in which i'm grateful someone was willing to take a chance and update one of the most influential independent horror films of the last 30 years.Filming in Black and White added to the original's sense of dread and terror,but the remake utilizes color to great effect,enhancing the tension,impending sense of doom,and the horror of being surrounded by animated corpses.The two leads carry the whole film almost singlehandedly,with strong performances in a genre that can easily lend itself to comedy,and caricature.The special makeup effects are genuinely gruesome,and chilling,while simultaneously beautiful and entrancing.The living dead never looked so good,or realistic.The music is also utilized to great effect,capturing the intense feeling of dread,confusion,mistrust,and paranoia.In an era of soulless mega-budget fluff with dazzling computer effects,this perfect blend of horror,action,and drama comes highly reccomended to fans of the genre.Arguably one of the top 5 horror films of all time.