You know, I really hate those reviewers that instinctively downgrade a movie because it's a remake, and one by a successful Hollywood director/producer. And really, for no reason-- often without even watching the movie. Zack Snyder did a remake of Romero's "Dawn of the Dead."
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It was actually a relief to watch a flick that utilized standard modern movie mechanics to move from scene to scene-- to have dialogue sounding like they weren't reading from cue-cards (or worse yet, foreign cue-cards, translated into English), and still feel (truly) the splatter after splatter of guts and blood!
This remake is one of the best remakes I've seen in years. Yes, I am writing this review YEARS after first seeing it. I'm watching it again as we speak-- but I can still remember and revel in the awesome and well put together bloody scenes.
You know-- you Zombie purists-- enjoy your so-so crappy effects, your cheesy music and unbelievably bad acting. Now, to be fair, I enjoy those occasionally as well. But when you've seen as many zombie flicks as I have-- I need more. I'm a zombie junkie. I know. I need a zombie fighting a shark!
Me-- I live in this century-- (believe me when I say I appreciate what has been done in the past (if you think that I don't, then read my many and varied reviews. Hell-- I even liked some of those older flicks)!
If you prance around like a frickin opera fanatic complaining that the soprano just didn't hit those high notes... then... enjoy your "Citizen Cane." For these movies, I tip my hat (I guess). I could say the same for art produced in the Renaissance. Yeah... it was ground breaking. Do I weep or swoon when I see it? No. Am I a Luddite? You tell me. Although Leonardo (not Titanic boy) Davinci was pretty awesome.
Enough pontificating. One of my favorite moments in this film is a not-exactly-successful rescue attempt, that sees our major characters fighting their way down a sewer, blasting the bejesus outta dozens of zombies (which, I want to point out are "zoombies"), mayhem ensues -- gun-blasts, blood splatters-- and ends suddenly with all of our characters, jammed into one elevator-- absolute quiet... except for the lilting of elevator muzak. Our redneck dude smiles, and remarks: "I like this song." He had me at "I..."
Did I mention there was a zombie baby?
PS: Make sure you watch through the credits.
3 comments:
I would consider myself a bit of a zombie purist (as my blog no doubt indicates) but I also thought that this was a solid remake.
It helped A LOT that Snyder went old school with the special effects and went minimal on the amount of CGI. The acting and story was great... I love Sarah Polley.
As a purist, I prefer the traditional slow zombie, but that's hardly a reason to dislike this movie.
It was faithful enough, but still tried to do some new things. That's the best kind of remake.
Great post.
Thanks Kev! I'm really surprised at how many people have not seen this movie. I saw it with a bunch of friends, and I have to say, we were still talking about it days later. It really is a great Zombie flick.
Kev-- you have now become my favorite follower. I am adding your "Highway 10 Revisited" site to my favorite sites. Good writing dude!
October 15, 2011 6:18 PM
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