Kevin Littleton

This is part of the zombie movie watching thing I'm doing. 

I watched both the original 1978 and the 2004 versions of Dawn of the Dead and was surprised at both. 

I remember seeing the 2004 remake sometime around when it came out but I didn't remember it too much. I only knew something about a mall and Ving Rhames being badass. So when I watched the original first, this past weekend, I was in unfamiliar territory because it was a lot different from what I remember about the remake. I liked the camera angles, weird 70's music and montages but the acting left a lot to be desired. The remake on the other hand, had some good acting but everything else was a bore - it just seemed like another dumb zombie movie.

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Obviously written and directed by George A. Romero who by some is the zombie movie maker guy. I don't have the knowledge or experience with cult followed movies, at least not much, so I can't really do much fanfare for Romero but maybe this will do?

The film is campy. They go to a mall to hideout and who wouldn't? There are lot's of guns, a helicopter and a lot of zombie killing. 

The thing that makes this movie stand out is the fact that it's not really about the zombies. Of course without the zombies we would have no movie but they are just a way of exposing you to the reality that is the human condition. The movie pokes fun at how the zombies come to the mall because they remember doing that before turning and that it's just instinct. 

This is an example of what Romero wants you to take away from this movie. We humans are dumb and even in death (or as zombies) we still hold on to the consumerism that is our culture today. I wonder if Dawn of the Dead was redone now instead of 2004 that some of the zombies would be trying to tweet?

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

So everything said above about the original movie is also in this new one. Director Zack Snyder did this one (300, Watchmen) and it's eh. 

I always are worried when I hear a remake is on it's way because to me they don't make too much sense, especially if the original was good (or great) to begin with. But anyway, let's pretend it's a standalone movie.

Naw, I can't forget the fact that there is an original awesome cult campy Romero film out there. But it wasn't complete crap, it had Ving Rhames. 

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