'It's always darkest before the dawn...' Should've woken up later then.
It’s not every zombie movie that can stand head and shoulders above the others. We’ve all seen the Olympic-sprinting flesh-eaters in 28 Weeks Later, and the slow-moving undead in the Resident Evil franchise, but Zack Snyder’s reimagining of the Romero classic Dawn of the Dead actually oozes realism. As usual for a zombie flick, the infection spreads and thousands upon thousands of people become brain-hunting cannibals. The survivors become holed up in a shopping mall which becomes their fortress and the horde of undead become an invading army.
Most of the film is obviously dedicated to the defence of the building from the zombies, but there is still a story to be told. The troubles of a pregnant woman involved in the battle, the burgeoning confidence of a young man in the face of his harsher ruthless boss, Dawn Of The Dead focuses not only on violence and survival, but the gradual person development of the characters. The script is witty and amusing which is something hardly ever shown in a zombie movie. Unpredictable and greatly entertaining, the film pays homage to Romero, remaining dedicated to his visual style. The ending is evidence of how films can twist and turn at any point and Dawn Of The Dead doesn’t disappoint.
- Charles Duntoye
