However, when you talk about this post-apocalyptic zombie thriller there's one word that comes to mind: cool.
Whether you prefer George Romero's original treatise on American consumerism set against the backdrop of zombies attacking survivors in a mall or Zack Snyder's more action-packed remake, you're going to get a really unique film.
Romero expands the world of zombies that he originated in the classic Night of the Living Dead. In that film, Romero used zombies to comment on racial attitudes in the US and in his follow-up, Dawn finds ol' George making a statement on out-of-control American consumerism. Don't be fooled though... this 1978 film does not get bogged down in preachy sentiment. Instead it's a thrilling and comedic ride that features monsters, blood and gore in what is most certainly a precursor to the hilarious Shawn of the Dead (but with more real tension).
Zack Snyder (of 300 and soon to be Man of Steel fame) put his name on the big-budget map by helming a remake of DotD that could have gone horribly wrong. While the writing of the remake does not feature the deepest dialogue nor does it delve into the commentary that Romero did, Snyder showed a deft hand at both casting and tempo. From the opening sequence featuring an exhausted Sarah Polley (who, to her credit, successfully avoids all blond horror leading lady stereotypes) returning home to her husband (Louis Ferreira, himself a veteran of the campy classic Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night 2) and getting a nasty surprise to the final thrilling escape attempt by the desperate survivors, Snyder crafts a witty, moody and tense film that begs the question:
What the hell do you do when you're one of the only ones left?
This has long been one of my favorite themes in storytelling. Born during the 80s and therefore growing up during the Cold War and not long after in a post-911 world, the possibility of nuclear fallout has always been present during my lifetime. Seeing some variation on that scenario played out in any media- cinema, tv or in novels- has always set my imagination going. Would I survive? Would I be strong enough? Would anyone who survived be able to piece together a civilization again?
And if not... what do you go on living for?
Both Dawn of the Dead films provide a glimpse of this doomsday scenario but they leave the worrying to us... and it sticks with us long after we turn off the tv.
A clip from the original (which won't upload for some reason): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oykvs8ePij8&feature=endscreen
And from the remake:
(Kudos to Zack Snyder on bringing back Ken Foree to repeat an ultra-cool line that, in case you didn't realize the first time, means you're fucked.)
Rest in pieces,
The Hootenanny
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