Dawn of the Dead

The dead rise with a taste for human flesh. A group of survivors make their way to a shopping mall where they take shelter. They include a policemen (Ving Rhames), a pregnant woman and her boyfriend, a nurse and a tradesmen.

This movie is a non-event. As a fan of the original trilogy (“Night of the Living Dead,” “Dawn of the Dead,” “Day of the Dead”), I had high expectations for this film. I could tell from the previews that the filmmakers decided to focus more on action and horror than in the original (the Zombies can run now), but in doing so we are left with a standard and predictable action/horror movie, lacking anything that was remarkable or interesting about the original. Most notably missing are the enjoyable, fleshed out characters and the witty social commentary. For the most part, what we now have are one dimensional, cliché players not worthy of a more thorough description.

The remake attempts to offset this by adding continuous and pervasive vulgarity (not even elegantly applied), extreme and continuous violence and gore, as well as several unnecessary examples of sex and nudity.

I find it unfortunate that the filmmakers became so wrapped up in trying to make something disturbing, disgusting and cool that they missed the entire point of the original. I recommend skipping this film.

Probable Spoilers

A father speaks of his desire to provide for and serve his child. A form of community arises, with individuals risking their lives to save one another. Friendship and loyalty. Leaders arise in a time of need, and share responsibility.

Graphic violence and gore throughout (throats torn out, heads blown apart, limbs removed via chainsaw, a head skewered with a fire poker). A Zombie woman gives birth to a Zombie baby, with blood spurting from between her legs. The Zombie baby is shot soon after (off camera).

Suicide is held out as a better alternative to becoming a Zombie. A person is left for dead, as well as several instances of what could be described as euthanasia.

A churchgoer behaves just like everyone else. A character expresses interest in faith and a belief that he is beyond forgiveness, as well as a feeling of being unworthy, but is rebuffed with a sarcastic comment from the above character. The plague of Zombies is attributed to the wrath of God by a priest on television (a cameo by Ken Foree, of the original).

Near constant profanity, including the music (taking of the Lord’s name in vain).

Several instances of nudity: people having sex, including in the shower (nothing seen), and another instance while recording (exposed breasts). A “tape” with nudity (exposed breasts) is viewed during the end credits. A man is shown trying on women’s shoes.

Violence: Extreme | Profanity: Extreme | Sex/Nudity: Heavy

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• Young people
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