Dawn of the Dead
2004 Directed by Zack Snyder
Synopsis
When the undead rise, civilization will fall.
A group of surviving people take refuge in a shopping center after the world has been over taken over by aggressive, flesh-eating zombies. A remake of the 1978 zombie film of the same name.
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Remakes are a fickle thing and I usually really don't like them. This isn't so much a remake as a cover, an interpretation of a genre classic transported to a modern setting. And that's the main reason why I don't really mind this and actually found it rather entertaining.
Romero's original was, apart from being a full fledged zombie horror fest, a social critique on commercialisation and capitalism. It commented on these things through dialogue, but mostly through its symbolic setting, the epicentre of commercialism the mall. It has a certain contemplative quality to it that makes it so much different from other films and has earned it its classic status. It is also the second part of a three…
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The best zombie film ever made?
It has to be pretty close. It certainly has the best opening half hour of any zombie film ever made. There are moments of pure genius from Zach Snyder.
This is a rare thing, a remake that is better than the original.
Yes, it doesn't have as much character development as the original, but we get BLOOD!! AND LOADS OF FUCKING FAST ZOMBIES AND SHIT.
It's brilliant.
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When it comes to horror remakes, the legendary directors of the genre usually see their original visions get pissed on. With Wes Craven it was 2010's A Nightmare on Elm Street reboot and with John Carpenter is was Rob Zombie's bold but ultimately awful remake of Halloween in 2007. Fortunately, George A. Romeo has had better luck with updates of his classics. His 1973 intelligent but extremely cheap looking horror, The Crazies, was in dire need of a make-over and in all due respect, Breck Eisner did a fine job of transforming it into a well orchestrated thrill ride in 2010. Yet, Zack Snyder's and Universal's decision to update one of the greatest Zombie films of all time, Dawn of…
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One badass Zombie film and easily one of the better horror remakes.
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Fast paced and exciting, this is a worthy remake of the classic.
Zombies doing everything a zombie should, interwoven with some dark humour and spattered with good performances.
There may be nothing inventive about this movie, but this is an enjoyable watch and with a surprisingly emotional ending it encompasses everything that's good about the zombie sub-genre.
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When people talk about their favorite Zack Synder film (if they like one enough to consider it a favorite), they usually bring up 300 or Watchmen. While, I can definitely say I very much enjoy both of those films, his 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake has always been my personal favorite of his, and it's unfortunate that many people seem to forget about it.
For a horror remake, this film was just unexpectedly so kick-ass and so bloody entertaining. It's got great action sequences, a clever script, memorable and likeable characters, and much gore that just makes it so ridiculously entertaining. And for the most part it's pretty damn scary, that whole opening sequence still frightens as a 16…
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Dawn of the Dead (Snyder, 04) B: Tight, Thrilling and interestingly comedic. It doesn't break the mold, but it never feels repetitive and familiar either. The film's strength is its sharp editing and its sharp casting. Even Ving Rhames, the film's least innovating casting choice, pays off in spades. The first first and final 10 minutes both works like gangbusters. Haunting and thrilling bookends. Polley nails it.
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When people talk about their favorite Zack Synder film (if they like one enough to consider it a favorite), they usually bring up 300 or Watchmen. While, I can definitely say I very much enjoy both of those films, his 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake has always been my personal favorite of his, and it's unfortunate that many people seem to forget about it.
For a horror remake, this film was just unexpectedly so kick-ass and so bloody entertaining. It's got great action sequences, a clever script, memorable and likeable characters, and much gore that just makes it so ridiculously entertaining. And for the most part it's pretty damn scary, that whole opening sequence still frightens as a 16…
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One of the Remakes that I think rivals the original.
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One of my favorite zombie films, and favorite remake. Very well done, just about the only movie I've liked from Zack Synder so far, but I think that has to do with James Gunn writing the movie. Unlike most remakes, this one actually tries to keep the core of the movie while going in a different direction.
It's not as in-your-face politically as Romero's was, but still a wonderful film. It doesn't so on super long, and it's shot very well.
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The June Challenge #26
With Man of Steel coming up I figure I'll watch through Zack Snyder's previous films as a way of tempering my expectations (I've only seen Watchmen before this, which I like in parts).
Considering how self-indulgent many of his other films seem to be, Dawn of the Dead is remarkably restrained at times. Most of the action takes place on a small scale, the opening in particular is tense and has a remarkable sense of buildup, and his signature use of slow motion & speed ramping are kept to a minimum (though they're intrusive when they do show up). Characterization and social satire may be limited or axed entirely in comparison to the original, but as far as action goes this one fairs rather well. -
Film #10 of my June 100
I'm really struggling to see why so many people love this film. It lacked and real horror qualities or atmosphere and replaced them with tiresome action. The acting was all far more horrific than the events.
I can't help but feel the Mall location was abused simply so that Snyder and his backers could grab the franchise status and secure some guranteed money. Although it did allow for that 'hilarious' montage of sex and cross-dressing.
I'm sure I'll form my own lynch mob by saying Sucker Punch was miles better than this in my opinion.
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@Camdun_Roar: An enjoyable chapter of undead but the zombie baby was a little over the top. Great use of Richard Cheese. 7/10
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am I the only one who thinks that the Burt Reynolds zombie looked more like a Chris Hadfield zombie?
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it is one remake which is well worth watching.
who doesn't love zombies!