Dawn of the Dead -- U.S. Theatrical Cut

Rating:
Summary: A classic of the horror genre
Review: And justifiably so. Enough ink has been spilt about the social commentary subtext of this movie, so I won't add to it except to note that this film is a must for any complete horror collection. Generally considered George Romero's masterpiece (and justifiably so), a modern viewer is likely to thing this movie isn't really scary ... until you think about it later. Besides, who can dislike a movie with so many comically-inclined blue-faced extras in it?

(For prospective viewers who enjoyed the remake released in 2004 and now hope to sample the original, be reassured that the plots of the two movies have little in common other than the basic "zombies, shopping mall" premise, and Romero's original will be a fresh surprise for you.)

The transfer to the DVD format is quite good, and the extras, though not dazzling, are quite entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: The Best "Dead" Sequel
Review: Seriously underrated and terribly misunderstood, this movie finds itself at the bottom of the bargain bins in several video stores.
Horror fans, if you're looking for the ultimate movie, here it is. It is thrilling, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The only thing sad about this movie is when Steven (Fly Boy) dies. He's the best character. This is an awesome movie. Hats off to you George A. Romero.

Rating:
Summary: Similar theme as the first movie but a little goofier
Review: George Romero returns to his zombie horror series which began with Night of the Living Dead and later would be concluded with Day of the Dead. The zombie epidemic has continued to spread and survivors are banning together. Frightened and generally well armed groups try to combat this plague. The apocalypse is here and for most part the "every man for him self rule" applies. The strong rule the weak and civilized society has officially collapsed. Romero directs this sequel with a similar style. There of course are moments of gore and running away from zombies, but the focus of the movie is the character development and their interaction with each other and other groups of survivors. Where Romero stirs things up a bit in this one is by making it compensate for the lack of "action" by making the characters a little bit well sort of funny and sometimes crazy.

The basic setting for this one is a group of survivors that have holed up in a shopping mall. Unfortunately the zombies are drawn to the shopping mall based on a primal memory of their former lives and the places they used to spend there time. Other bans of survivors are also drawn to the mall as well, some for good and some for not.

The original Night of the Living Dead had the characters wound up really tight and worried, in this movie the characters seem to have had time to learn to cope with their situation and thus try to enjoy them selves every now and then. The movie also goes into the long term stress that this sort of a situation can cause. There are moments were the characters display the fact that they really are at any time on the breaking point of the line between sanity and insanity. Aside from a few scenes that are too goofy this movie is great and a true classic.