when there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth [march 25, 2005]

Dawn of the Dead, George Romero's original second entry in the Dead trilogy, has a lot going for it to withstand comparisons with and to Zack Snyder's remake. The film is enriched with Tom Savini's exquisitely detailed make-up effects and boasts a great stock of PMPs (Poor Man's Process). Savini even manages two cameos: one as a zombie that the truck runs into at one point and also as Pasqual Buba. The commentary has fragments of interest (e.g. The blood that Tom Savini bought from the 3M company looked like "melted crayons" and helped with the comic book feel of the film; David Emge's zombie is based on Lon Chaney Jr.). Also interesting was the rating that the film received: There is no explicit sex in this picture, however there are scenes of violence, which may be considered shocking. No one under 17 will be admitted. I liked this entry more than the remake: this one has a more patient pace, it's not slap-dash Friday night entertainment, it's creepier, and earthier. And now to dig up the third edition in all its gory glory before the remake pops up. Wonder what would happen if Bollywood chose to adapt this film ... (all those haphazard Ramsay ventures notwithstanding).