Dawn of the Dead - original vs. remake
Hello everyone and welcome to my blog. For those who know me you know about my love for horror films so once a month I’m going to review and discuss a scary flick. We’ll look at the classics, some new films, and I want your suggestions on what I should review. I’ll do my best to cover all the different genres within the genre – slashers, ghosts, monsters, etc.
SPOILER ALERT! – These will be reviews so if you haven’t seen the movie you’ll want to watch it first before you read this. Let’s do this.
DAWN OF THE DEAD - ORIGINAL VS. REMAKE
I think the first place to start is fast zombies or slow zombies? Everyone has an opinion of remakes and I’m no different. Some I have been in favor of, some not so much. I’ll point out that I love both movies and was definitely onboard for the remake. But let me back up first.
George Romero – The Godfather of the Zombie Film – made his mark with Night of the Living Dead but Dawn is a pretty great movie. A few humans who have survived the zombie apocalypse are holed up in a shopping mall. I like the idea of being stuck in a mall along with having an entire hotel to myself for the winter – oh wait, maybe not… So what do you do if you may be the last few people left on earth? Anything you want including killing LOTS of zombies. I used to play Resident Evil 2 on PlayStation (greatest game ever) and it always reminded me of Dawn of the Dead. It’s just fun. Over the top deaths like helicopter blades cutting off a zombie’s head or screwdrivers in the ear. The poster paint red color of the blood and the silly music that plays in the mall. The mall by the way is Monroeville Mall – conveniently located in lovely Monroeville, PA. and does have some areas referencing the film being shot there. Romero and makeup genius Tom Savini along with the crew shot the film overnights in the mall. Why do the zombies keep coming to the mall? Do they remember what they did when they were alive?? A joke on commerce by Romero. His movies were about zombies but always had other messages. It’s become a total classic and was followed by Day of the Dead to wrap the zombie trilogy. This movie is great on its own and never needed a remake but don’t tell that to Zack Snyder.
In 2004 we got the remake. I remember an ad showing the first few minutes of the film was released a few weeks before it hit theaters. I was ready to go stand in line immediately. Scary zombies that were FAST. But zombies aren’t fast! They shuffle around moaning “braaaaaiiiinnnnsssss” Not anymore. Snyder kicked ass with this remake. Kept the story intact but added a lot. More characters, more detail in their struggle to survive, more gore, and a zombie baby! I really liked this film and while it is a remake, you didn’t need to see the original to appreciate it.
Back to fast or slow zombies. Each movie has both for you! Fast zombies scare me a lot more. It’s interesting to see the evolution of the fast zombie. I suppose you could argue the genesis was in 28 Days Later. But are those people alive and just infected? I don’t really care because you’re screwed if they get to you. Don’t hesitate to hear more about that movie by listening to my podcast. Slow zombies seem to be the safer hope or alternative but there always seem to be SO many of them that they will eventually get you. We could debate this forever I suppose.
If you need to watch one of the films, I’d suggest you watch the original. It’s very creative and while you’ll get grossed out, you’ll laugh and have a genuinely good time. The remake is more intense and honestly much scarier than the original. In the end though you must watch both and PLEASE watch Night of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead so you can be a well-rounded zombie movie buff. Don’t forget – when there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.
Dawn of the Dead 1978 trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlQ_DgOPrBg
Dawn of the Dead 2004 trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j69OPw9nFHw