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

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

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Justice done to the greatest Zombie flic of all time
Review: Let me first say that the quality of this DVD is amazing. Never have I seen a dated film such as this restored to such perfection. The film is so clear, you will feel that you can reach out and touch the characters. The sound is just as excellent. The "Divimax" HD transfer is again, something to see and hear in order to believe.

That being said, this is the greatest all time classic zombie flic. And you wont regret buying this DVD. 5 Stars.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: there is no more room in HELL and the Dead walk the earth
Review: I am a big zombie movie fan. I've seen and own the best. Night of the living Dead, Day of the Dead, Resident Evil, House of the Dead, and the Return of the Living Dead triogy. But the one movie I have not yet seen is The Dawn of the Dead. I have searched contless stores and websites and have not found one. The one I did find was 129.98!!! My subsitute teacher once told me about it and now I must own it to finish my set. I intend to have the orginal DVD set and the re-make DVD set. As I speak this film is going to be pre-ordered so I will become master of the Living DEAD.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The mother of all zombie movies rises again.
Review: "Dawn of the Dead" has had a few previous released on DVD, all of which are now extremely rare, so it comes as a blessing that Anchor Bay has released a new version, just in time to coincide with the remake hitting theatres (with Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames, no less). While the movie itself and the extras are fantastic, this may not be the best edition to buy, read on to find out why....

The movie itself needs no introduction to any horror fan, as this is widely considered to be one of the best horror movies ever made, and by far the best zombie picture. I will skip right to the qualities of the DVD itself, to save boredom for anyone who already knows the plot (which I imagine is everybody reading this). The most notable feature on the Divimax DVD is the commentary from George Romero and Tom Savini, with Perry Martin doing the moderating. Similar to the commentary on "Day of the Dead", both Savini and Romero are lively and enthusiastic about this movie, which is surprising considering that the movie is more than 25 years old. The anecdotes and back stories will definitely give fans some insight, as well as plenty of trivia knowledge. This is probably the best Romero commentary so far. The only other extras are an extensive photo gallery (with some great shots), and some promotional material that most people have seen already. If the extras seem sparse, there is a reason for that: rumor has it that Anchor Bay is planning a larger, more extensive Special Edition later in 2004. Like the "Lord of the Rings" DVDs, the first release might be just a taster.

Before moving onto the less positive aspects, it should be noted that this is perhaps the video transfer released so far. While previous editions were fragmented, grainy, and muddy looking, this one is clear, having scrubbed 25 years worth of wear and tear on the master. This beats all previous editions, hands down.

My gripes with the new "Dawn of the Dead" DVD are nothing to do with what was included, but what was not included. This version runs 127 minutes, while as any fan knows, the original prints ran 142 minutes. The previous "Director's Cut" released on DVD was 137 minutes long (the only time I have seen the full 142 released was on an import laserdisc), so why couldn't they have included the longer cut here? For fans waiting for a new release, this is a bit of a letdown. Also noticeable is the lack of any documentaries or other supplements beyond the commentary. This is understandable if this release is only a taster, however, so I will be waiting in hopes that the new edition solves this problem.

Overall, horror fans could not ask for a better movie to have on DVD, even if completists like me are unhappy with the shorter cut. The remastering alone makes this worth the price tag alone, while the commentary is a welcome addition to the movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Iconic!
Review: What can be said that hasn't been already. This is the continuation of a genre setting, cinematic vision created by George Romero. The non-voodoo walking dead did not exist (Plan 9 excepted) like this before George Romero made these movies. Also please remember, these are independent films, Hollywood had no input. Technically speaking Day of the Dead is better but this one is the fan favorite and rightly so. Even through the cheesy blue make-up Romero's direction of the Undead extras sells this movie. Admittedly after years of watching I catch myself chuckling at the "zombie blue" but am soon immersed in their believability and wince everytime Roger is hotwiring a vehicle and the undead are lurking around grasping for his flesh. I always root for Fran, Peter, Roger and even brain dead Steven although I know the outcome. I feel Peter's pain and conflict in the end and would have accepted either of his solutions, even if Fran would have been worse off if he chose the other. If you are a Horror fan, this film is to be relished. A triumph of moviemaking because despite it's techinical shortcomings it unflinchingly puts the horror of the situation on display. A powerful metaphor against "consume"rism.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Cheesy Old School Horror Flick - FOR TRUE HORROR FANS
Review: Although technically a "horror" movie, DAWN OF THE DEAD is not going to scare or thrill you. A real horror fan (me) will love this flick for the substance. Plus, those 70s special effects are hilarious. Check out the shade of blue paint on the first zombie you see. =)

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Yawn of the Dead spoilers
Review: Not scary, not thrilling. Two hours of slow, blue grey faced, wide eyed Pittsburgh locals wearing bellbottoms. No zombies in the first five minutes. Just talking. When the zombies show up it's a disappointment. No explanation. Hell nevermind how they entered the mall. The music doesn't fit the scenes and might be taken from other B movies. Romero leaves bad cuts and countless continuity errors all over the place. Two SWATS running around a mall like clowns sealing off doors then deciding to shop. Soap opera middle filler story. One nice arm bite in the first ten minutes. Two bites in the middle. Four or five bites to different guys in the last ten. Hardly a cannibal movie. Scene of limb eating in first 15 mins and last 10 mins. Gaylen Ross shows her breasts once (laying in bed). No sex. There are numerous blasts to the head but the effects look like the old sewing button pull trick not a devastating skull/brains splatter type of blast. Very weak and overrated waste of time. See one of the more recent zombie movies or the 80s zombie stuff (ReAnimator, Return of the Dead, Day of the Dead, etc) instead. And also avoid the remake cuz those guys know even less about zombie movie making.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Only Dawn of the Dead to see
Review: An amazing film - Romero is the Orwell of Horror Films and really should be more recognized for his genius. This, the second film in the Dead trilogy by Romero, is perhaps the best (Night of the Living Dead, the first, is a close second), and is required viewing for anyone interested in zombie/apocalyptic films. Every film since this one has necessarily made reference to Romero's work. An intelligent film which makes biting social commentary on our comsumer society as well as questions what it means to retain one's humanity in difficult situations. The "remake" of this film, coming out in 2004, has nothing to do with the premises or social statements so astutely made in this film by George Romero. Do not mistake the "remake" for this classic: it isn't.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dawn of the Dead (Divimax Edition)
Review: First off, ..., this movie is a SEQUEL!! as in any backstory you require is provided in the first movie (check out Night Of The Living Dead if your interested). Secondly, painting the walls was the black guy's cunning play to through off the zombies (who are already too friggin' brain dead to survive an escalator) from finding the stairwell that their hiding in. (Come on, there were in the mall for months ... he probably didn't have much else to do).

But honestly, if you didn't finish the flick, I don't think you have the knowledge to back yourself up. The ending of this movie is great, especially the disembowling and consumption of the bikers.

Yes, I'll admit the blue make-up is a little lacking by today's zombie effects standards, but I don't feel this movie to be just another B-zombie flick. I regard it (as well as the first and third of the series) more of a post-apocalyptic survival story in which the protanganists must escape insurmountable odds by whatever means possible.

Romero has given us three classic (for the lack of any better labelling) horror films that stand above the rest by the characterization and authenticity. If all the dead of the world were to rise someday and proceed to eat the living, I'm convinced that these movies portray what would likable happen. I'm sure Rastaman also overlooked the satirical comments throughout the films, supported by the sheer absurdity of the idea. Maybe he'd prefer the ingenious weed-smoking catepillar of Freddy Vs. Jason. Now that is clever!!

Aside from everything else, Romero's DEAD trilogy stands up simply because there is nothing else like them (although the has been many, many, many mediocre attempts, most recently 28 Days Later ...), in terms of originality and zombies. And, of course, there's plently brain-splatters and dismemberment just to keep things lively.

If you're looking for modern horror flicks, with teenage girls being chased around by knife-wielding maniacs that end up being disgruntled ex-boyfriends, maybe these won't be for you, but if you want to see some true trend-setters of the B-movie horror flicks of the 80s and 90s, let me recommend the DEAD trilogy (Night Of The Living Dead (1968), Dawn Of The Dead (1979), and Day Of The Dead (1985)).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A George A. Romero Classic/Masterpiece
Review: Dawn of the Dead is the best zombie film ever made. I cannot imagine anything else that influenced the zombie genre/cult more than the dead trilogy.

There is something interesting about being trapped and having nowhere to go or not knowing where to go next. That is the essence and horror of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. The characters have to deal with what they have left in a world that has become chaotic and very much unpredictable. What they only have left is self-preservation--to seek for safety and refuge away from the walking dead. The characters finally find their refuge in a shopping mall and for a while the shopping mall seemed like a perfect haven until the characters begin to feel that what they have is basically a prison in itself. The shopping mall with all its materials, money, food, and entertainment is ultimately nothing in the end.

The dead walks surrounding the shopping mall: "They're us...they remember what they use to do". There is a hidden intelligence in Dawn of the Dead. Romero is commenting on America's consumerism. As consumers, (or zombies, or sheep) we try to fill up the unconscious that hovers us like a cloud--that is boredom and emptiness; therefore, we need to fill up this emptiness and the easiest way is to buy and have materials. The materials are in itself nothing, which is what the characters ultimately find themselves in.

Well enough of my crazy analysis and interpretation. The point is that this film rocks! This is an intelligent horror film that is serious and sometimes funny. The actors are believable and flawless when compared to other horror films. Although Dawn of the Dead is already considered a classic, as decades pass it will definitely receive more consideration and respect.

However, I strongly disapprove of the remake. A Dawn of the Dead remake, which is superfluous, is either made as an appreciation of a classic or for a hollywood cash bomb. I would like to think the former but I know that is not true.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Multiple Versions (Romero/Argento/Laserparadise/X-rated)
Review: A quick rundown on the different versions floating around out there:
1. Director's Cut (Anchor Bay): 137 minutes, NTSC
2. U.S. Theatrical Cut (Anchor Bay): 128 minutes, NTSC
3. Zombie 1 - Dawn Of The Dead (Laserparadise Red Edition) 156 minutes, PAL (combines all material from both versions)
4. Zombie 1 - überarbeitete Langfassung (X-rated DVD): 141 minutes, PAL (edits the combined version down to a German "PG-16" version)--available on amazon.de

Ya pays yer money an' ya takes yer chances.

The diehard fan buys all 4...munch !!!


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