Product: Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Rating: 5.0
I like this remake. Night Of The Living Dead on steroids.
WARNING: Some spoilers aheadWhen I compare this 1990 remake of Night Of The Living Dead to the original from 1968, I actually think this remake is just as good. This movie really holds my attention.The story basically is this: Zombies have risen to feed on living humans. They are chasing people all over about 1/3 of the country. One of these people being chased is Barbara, who comes across a farmhouse where the residents are not present. She hides inside. Soon after, Ben arrives at the farmhouse in a pickup truck to seek shelter and a safe haven as well. Before you know it, there are seven people (including five people who were hiding in the cellar before Barbra and Ben ever arrived) seeking refuge in this farmhouse to try to get away from the swarm of zombies outside. Ben had arrived at the farmhouse in a pickup truck, but the truck's gas gauge is on empty. The people inside the farmhouse board up the place and look for an escape route when the opportunity presents itself. Some of the people who come in contact with the zombies become zombies themselves. There is a lot of infighting among the people in the farmhouse. That's the story in a nutshell. I don't want to give away too much.This movie's special effects/makeup/gore were done by the legendary Tom Savini, a master of special effects involving blood and guts, etc. His resume includes such movies as this one, Dawn Of The Dead, Friday The 13th, and Creepshow. He's well known and respected in the horror movie business, and did I mention he directed this 1990 remake of Night Of The Living Dead? This was his first shot at directing and he did a great job.The acting in this remake is better than in the original. The characters are more believable. The special effects are better. The action seems to be non-stop. Never a dull moment. The movie holds my attention and keeps me interested. The character "Barbara" (Patricia Tallman) seems more intelligent and less ditzy in this movie compared to the original. She also is a "take charge" girl, courageous and....... talkative! The character of "Ben", played by Tony Todd, is much like the original. Tony Todd did a great job in this movie. Overall, this movie pretty much follows the original story, only with a few minor changes made along the way (and yes, there still is that back and forth blowout regarding the cellar). A lot of the horror movie remakes out there deviate from the original too much because the director wants to put his own spin on it and make it different. Too often this results in changes that frustrate the viewer. But you won't experience this when you watch this 1990 remake.This movie was filmed in color, whereas the original is in black and white. I like the black and white approach to the original, but I also think that color was appropriate for this remake because, afterall, it was made in 1990.This DVD has good extras, including audio commentary and a documentary featuring director Tom Savini, Patricia Tallman, and some of the actors from the original movie from 1968.If you like zombie movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat with good acting and great special effects, then this is your movie. Highly recommended.