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View Full Version : Dawn of the Dead! (Fear spoilers/review)


PsiKoTicK
03-20-04, 01:10 AM
Went and saw the 12:35am showing tonight.

I never saw the original. I didn't see the first ten minutes on USA the other night.

The movie was fun, worth my 9 bucks admission. I wouldn't go see it AGAIN for 9 bucks, but it was worth it the first time.

The comedy was interspersed quite nicely, imo. Some of the stuff was just classic (check below for my favorite spots).

The acting was at least decent, above average for the genre.

It was obviously predictable (but what zombie movie isn't?). See also below for some aspects here.

There are the obvious loopholes, but nothing you don't expect from this type of movie.

I'd give it a 4/5 Ragebringers, for sheer fun value of hyper zombies eating things, and brains being splattered everywhere. "How do you kill what's already dead? Shoot it in the head!"

SPOILERS BELOW






























Movie starts out quite intensely, tho a few loopholes were there. Such as how the daughter got infected... we see the parents doing their thing, daughter was skating, next morning she's a flesh eating zombie. Just never explains HOW she got infected. The whole guy chasing his wife, then turning and attacking the woman in the yard is just great.

Kenneth - I think that was his name - (Ving Rhames) started the movie off in a weird way, and I didn't find him to draw me in as quickly as some of the other characters, but he easily drew me in a bit later.

Ledu and Andre (russian pregnant chick and black guy from ER whose names I don't know) were a bit odd, but his acting was incredible, once you get past him playing the sterotypical black guy with a gun. The whole fatherhood bit was good, tho it did lead to some predictable scenes later.

CJ was great, and his character development over the movie was good. He goes from being the jackass who won't let anyone off the elevator to sacrificing himself in the end to let them escape. Definitely interesting to watch the change.

Predictableness:

-Fat chick being a zombie, tho I really wanted to see her kick some ass, it was over too quick.

-The whole making his wife have the baby even after he KNEW she was going to be a zombie, and the zombie baby. Though I REALLY hoped the baby would do some stuff, it didn't.

-The chainsaw in the bus causes an accident... I mean, who DIDN'T see that coming?

-Steve (the seemingly gay guy, who owns the boat and stuff) being bitten when he tries to save his own ass, and turning zombie, and the main heroine chick blowing him away as she said she'd gladly do earlier

-The chick going after the dog as idiots tend to do

- Michael (the sensible voice of reason, who takes charge of things) being bitten and sacrificing himself in the end wasn't predictable TOO far in advance, but was definitely seen.

Sheer golden comedy:
-The guy turning off to the chick in the yard instead of chasing his wife was classic.

-Andy (the gun shop owner across the street) shooting at zombies in the crowd milling around, and then the sign says "Jay Leno." Then they pick "Burt Reynolds" and he nails him, and they are all laughing and joking "It didn't even really look like him, he's good!" (then I turned to my friend and said "damn camper" - we died laughing for a few)

-They all decide to take some busses fro the garage, and reinforce them, then make a break for the marina to get to Steve's boat, and CJ says "so you want us to go get some shuttles, reinforce them with aluminum siding, drive through a hundred thousand cannibals who want US for dinner, and get on a boat to go to an island we don't even know EXISTS?" - everyone just sort of goes "well, yeah"... "yeah".. "that's just about it"... steve gives a sarcastic lil thumbs up... heh, was great

- They are running from zombies in the mall, get into the elevator, and all you hear is the elevator music. Everyone is looking around like "what the hell?" and CJ says "I love this song".. had me rolling.


Like I said, all in all, it was good. I wanted more hyper zombie action, and it was only about 90 minutes long (though these types of movies are very very rarely longer than that). The acting was well above average, especially for the genre. The comedy was put in pretty well, and it didn't override the horror aspect of the film, it sort of added to the excitement since you saw them sort of being normal, then ZOMBIE ATTACK OMFG. I will say, I didn't jump even once (I jumped once in Cabin Fever, which was a terrible movie, and once in the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre - I don't jump often, but normally ONE thing gets me).

Like I said, if you just want a fun zombie time, go for it. If you want a true "horror" zombie film, I don't think this is that film. It's a great watch, definitely 4 out of 5. Veteran Kakarat Doomstalker
65 Barbarian AssassinEdited by: PsiKoTicK at: 3/20/04 1:10 am

EZ_Skef5
03-20-04, 01:27 AM
I thought it was bloody mag. I just liked everything about it, and loved the humor in it. Probably my favorite movie I saw so far this year, just for the entertainment value. The zombie make-up was magnificent. It was just all around plain entertaining.

Glip the Gnome
03-20-04, 02:57 AM
I loved it, great movie! Mekhi Phifer is the black guy from ER's name.

*SPOILERS*






















Andy rocked, when he held up the sign that said "Hungry" I felt so bad for the dude. Always had a special place for snipers -- I so wish he could have lived

Anyone else catch the Tom Savini cameo? That was perfect!

PsiKoTicK
03-20-04, 02:35 PM
Oh, forgot to add! The propane tank... he tosses it out of the bus, the big zombie guy catches it, and just looks at it, then lifts it over head... then goes BOOM. Everyone looks out the front of the bus, and is just... "what the hell?"... was another one of those classic type scenes

Who is Tom Savini? (I assume he was in the original, but who was he in the film and stuff?)

Mardoc the Dwarf
03-20-04, 02:45 PM
sorry glippo but mekhi phiefer (sp?) was h orrid in the movie. the whole "my family" thing gets thrown out the window when flesh eating zombies take over your world..

And how sweet was the credit ennding thing?

EZ_joekreeper1
03-20-04, 03:36 PM
couldn't just COULDN'T get over the fact of ......... fast zombies.... original blows this one away as far as plot and characters.

Tom Savini is the special effects guy who did the effects for the earlier Dead movies, he also played the bad guy biker gang leader in the original
"I don't know what's easier, making people laugh, or making them want to punch me in the face."

EZ_strongboard
03-20-04, 04:09 PM
The really slow, tom jones-ish version of the sickness by disturbed was absolutely beautiful. was i the only one that laughed my arse off when i heard it?

EZ_Sawin
03-20-04, 06:08 PM
Tom Savini is one of the best make up & special effects artists ever. See Friday the 13th (first one unedited version) for examples. He also worked on the original Dawn of the Dead IIRC.
***Spoilers***


















I thought this movie was *VERY* well done. It got one of the highest reviews Ive ever seen a horror movie get in our newspaper's reviews (3 outta 4). There were some really good funny parts in the movie; "Go in that stall, say three Hail Marys, and wipe your ass..." was HILLARIOUS, the Muzak in the elevator was also quiite funny, the dude with the gun in the morning getting wailed by the ambulence was damn funny.

I really wish we could have got to see the zombie baby do something though. Was the girl in the roller skates even their daughter? From the opening of the movie I thought it was just some neighbor kid that Anna was friendly with. I also wish we could have got to seen how she got zombified too.

Also, the soundtrack for the movie was INCREDIBLE. The Johnny Cash song during the opening credits was good, and the Lounge Music version of Disturbed's - Down with the sickness had me rolling. Btw, does anyone know who did that version of Down with the Sickness? Elder Toprem Level 65 Storm Warden.... yeah im too lazy to make another Ezboard account

Take a look at my stuff.

HA! HA! I am using the internet!!!1

Glip the Gnome
03-20-04, 06:13 PM
Quote:sorry glippo but mekhi phiefer (sp?) was h orrid in the movie

Where did I say I like him? He's one of the reasons I don't watch ER anymore :P

EZ_Myrkskog
03-20-04, 07:52 PM
It was everything I expected, 5/5.

Wotan
03-20-04, 08:48 PM
The original is one of my favorite horror/sci-fi films of all time. And I'm not much of a horror fan. I'll have to see the new one, even though I suspect I'll be as disappointed as I was with the remake of Night of the Living Dead. Some films just don't need a remake.

EZ_Matheren
03-20-04, 09:45 PM
I thought it was a great movie. but I'd really like to see a zombie (or any horror) movie where characters don't die just because of general stupidity and ludicrous, completely inconsistent actions :P

PsiKoTicK
03-20-04, 09:58 PM
People die because of stupid actions. If the situation actually happened, stupidity would run rampant.

Fast zombies >>>>>>>>> Slow zombies.

Slow zombies don't scare me. I can WALK away and be fine. I can WALK up to them, shoot them in the head (or bonk them with a crowbar or something) and WALK away. I'd have to be an idiot to get trapped by a hundred of them surrounding my house. I can see being trapped by hyper zombies tho.

EZ_Vindicor
03-20-04, 10:05 PM
Quote:Btw, does anyone know who did that version of Down with the Sickness?
Just saw it tonight and checked the credits. Richard <something, can't remember> and Lounge Against the Machine.

One of the best times I've had at a film in recent memory. Fan-freakin'-tastic.

And yes, fast zombies > slow zombies. What's scary about something I can power-walk away from?

EZ_Vindicor
03-20-04, 10:06 PM
Just Googled it.

Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine.

EZ_joekreeper1
03-21-04, 07:38 AM
slow zombies are scary.....wait .... I alomost got into a debate about slow zombies VS fast zombies..... PHEW.. that's almost as bad as a Picard VS Kirk debate
"I don't know what's easier, making people laugh, or making them want to punch me in the face."

EZ_Sawin
03-21-04, 07:48 AM
Thanks, gonna have to look for his CDs. BTW, were these zombies crack addict athletes or something when they were alive? Zombies that actually *RUN* at your are scarey.

I dont see how in old zombie movies people got killed / over run by them. Normal zombies shamble slow as hell, that gives you the chance to run or kill them at a distance. But, these super-zombies run like mad, Id hate to get trapped by them.

btw, there is no Kirk Vs. Picard "debate". Kirk > Picard, simple as that. Elder Toprem Level 65 Storm Warden.... yeah im too lazy to make another Ezboard account

Take a look at my stuff.

HA! HA! I am using the internet!!!1Edited by: Sawin at: 3/21/04 7:49 am

EZ_ZoldenShadowhunter
03-21-04, 09:42 AM
I liked it. I saw it just last night, and the other 12 people I went to see it with all thought it was one of the better zombie movies made in the past years. It had alot of well placed humor, which added alot to the quality.

I know a ton of people were upset about the running zombies, but I think it was awesome. One of the coolest scenes was the beginning when Sarah Polley looks out into the neighborhood, and there is a group of zombies just sprinting like mad into a house on the right. It's more freaky, and more of a threat. I also like how they retained some memory, or so it seemed, like when Andy turned zombie and then swiped his hand over the sign and held it up.

The ending was really good too, the way all those flash scenes played throughout the credits. Way to make the audience stay until the credits are done... make em think its the end, then flash a pair of tits.

EZ_Meecham AB
03-21-04, 10:02 AM
Slow zombies can be scary just because they never stop. You can outrun them in short bursts, but eventually you need to sleep and stuff while they keep coming.

Plus you know if they ever actually catch hold of you, you're in trouble. Remember that slo-mo chase bit in one of the Star Trek movies, where Picard is fixing something outside the ship and the borg are coming for him?

EZ_DominationCalifornication
03-21-04, 10:37 AM
Richard Cheese rocks. His group has got all sorts of "Tom Jones" style renditions of popular rock & metal songs. Hilarious shiit.

I thought the movie was worth watching. Loved the gore & comedy, and as soon as the dude turned the chainsaw on inside the bus I did cringe a little cause I knew someone was going to get wasted. Decent entertainment all in all.

PsiKoTicK
03-21-04, 11:07 AM
There's a difference between the Borg and Zombies. The Borg in Star Trek movies aren't there trying to scare us. They are just an implacable enemy. Zombies in movies are there to try and scare us, along with being the implacable never give up type of thing. These fast ones will never give up, and we know they will eventually get us. So why would I be more frightened of slow than fast? Fast can actually catch me. Slow would be pure luck if they DID catch me. I'm not even really a sprinter, or that fast of a guy, and I highly doubt the slow zombies would get within 50 feet of me if I knew they existed. The fast ones would rip me apart.. :X

Glip the Gnome
03-21-04, 12:57 PM
Can someone tell me exactly what happened after the credits started to roll? Everyone is saying there was more movie but I was seeing it during my lunch break and was in a hurry to get back to work so I left as soon as the credits started.

EZ_Dading001
03-21-04, 01:04 PM
i loved the movie, and it was pretty scary. not the jump out of your seat scary, because all of it was predictable, but "oh my god if i was ever in this situation i'd be so @#%$" kinda scared... me and my friends snuck into eurotrip after the flick, and it was totally awesome. we were busting our asses off, and that helped lighten the mood. Dawn of the dead was an awesome horror flick though, i loved every second of it =)

EZ_Rorne
03-21-04, 01:19 PM
During the credits they showed clips taken from a video camera found on the ship.
It showed them finding a ship seemingly abandoned on the water, then a clip of them finding a zombie in a cooler on that ship (I wasn't sure if it was just the head or a whole body. It then progressed to them arriving on the island and ended in an "oh shi-" moment as you saw zombies coming out of the bushes.

So much for escape!

EZ_Popi Tinythug
03-21-04, 04:46 PM
I loved the end. If they would have survived, I would have spent many days thinking about how they would survive on a remote island.

Also I think fast zombies are unscary because
1- I know I would die from the beginning, so I don't torment myself about how I would survive in such a situation.
2- Replace zombies by any pack of angry humans wanting to kill you, the movie would have been the same for me.
3- Slow zombies are just scarier because when they get you, it's your fault, because you underestimated them, or got hurt and can't walk. Fast zombies just kill you so fast that death ends up being a relief. Slow zombies just chew you slowly, or rip you apart veerry slowly, just like in that gross Day of the Dead scene.

I don't want to start a stupid debate, I understand why some people would find fast zombies scary, but it's just how I feel after being afraid of being afraid of the movie (Night of the living dead traumatized me when I was 12) I ended up not being creeped out at all. But it was an awesome, tense action movie. Sig

EZ_Mrens
03-22-04, 03:33 AM
I saw it tonight, I enjoyed it, just one complaint, THAT IS NOT HOW PROPANE WOULE REACT!!

EZ_Myrkskog
03-22-04, 06:45 AM
Its a zombie movie Mrens. If they made it realistic it would suck. It's just blood bath fun.

PsiKoTicK
03-22-04, 10:55 AM
I agree with Mrens though. It'd be a lil odd to have an explosion that large. And not leave a scratch on the shuttle busses. Etc, etc.

I still wanna know how Vivian (the person we ASSUME is their daughter) got infected. I mean, she was out roller blading. Noone seemed to miss her that night, and they didn't have a problem with her being in the home. So, somewhere along the way, I'd guess they had dinner together, and she never mentioned being bitten or anything. Or she's the neighbor's kid, and how did she get in the damn house? So, even assuming that exponential zombification occured, from the ONE GUY in the hospital, exponentially outwards (1 = 2 = 4 = 8 = 16, etc), how would she have been infected? There were no other zombies in the house, and they didn't seem concerned about her wellbeing until the next morning when she comes in with blood spattered on her night gown.

EZ_mjn6172
03-22-04, 11:10 AM
When I watched the movie I was under the impression that Vivian was a neighbor's child, not their own child. That was why they were surprised to see her in the house so early in the morning. I could be wrong, but since we never actually saw her in the house until she was a zombie I think I'm right.

EZ_Matheren
03-22-04, 11:12 AM
I dunno why anyone thinks she was their kid - they specifically refer to her parents once or twice. Vivian mentions them (or her mom or dad, I forget which) when she's skating.

DarthEnderX
03-22-04, 12:06 PM
If slow zombies weren't dangerous, people wouldn't die all the time in early stages of Resident Evil games.

Hence, they ARE dangerous.

EZ_Mrens
03-22-04, 03:17 PM
A funny story about dawn of the dead. I was sitting in an isle seat, in the scean where she is driving down the road in the begining, right after the guy gets his rope ripped out. A woman goes running out of the theater carrying a crying 5 year old.

What the hell was she thinking!? Dawn of the Dead, fun for the whole family!

EZ_Vindicor
03-23-04, 06:38 AM
When I went, not only were there loud people, but the highlight of the evening included a woman bringing a newborn baby into the theater, and a guy sitting beside me talking on his cell phone to someone else in the same friggin' theater.

It's a testement to how good the movie was that I wound up having an enjoyable time.