Top 5: Reasons Why Dawn of the Dead (2004) Doesn't Suck

Many people have used way too much energy dogging the 2004 film that shares Romero's title. Maybe the blind hatred is rooted in the belief that the film is a remake of the Romero classic, but it just isn't. While it shares some traits, it certainly is not intended to be a remake of any kind and its reception probably would have been better had the film been titled something totally different. But, zombie baby birthing scene aside, this movie really has some moments that are pretty awesome and pretty well done.

#5: It's set in Milwaukee
As a resident of Chicagoland, I'm not without a little love for our neighbor to the north. Also, movies frequently showcase New York and Los Angeles, but frequently totally overlook all the smaller cities that help to make up this nation. So here's to you, Dawn of the Dead, for trying something new.

#4: The opening credits set a great tone
Apparently producers were originally worried about the choice of Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" as background music for the opening titles, but they were quickly eating their words. The editing here is really fabulous, and I love the use of fake news footage to increase the globally apocalyptic feel of the flick. I still get a shiver when the CDC dude is asked "Are they dead or alive?". He pauses, sighs, and replies, "We don't know". Cue the J. Cash!

#3: Many of the characters are engaging and realistic...or just downright entertaining.
It's pretty rare to have a film with such sympathetic, understated and just realistic protagonists. In the characters of Ana and Michael you have a sort of "every man" thing, and Kenneth has just enough stoic melancholy to make him an engaging and enigmatic character. And if the character isn't realistic, then they are at least a lot of fun. Take for example the character of Steve; his jerky banter makes you laugh as you simultaneously fill with disdain for him and his spoiled, elitist kind.

#2: Everyone loves a bleak ending to a zombie film
The filmmakers clearly had watched Romero's original Night of the Living Dead, and they really reapplied that sort of bleak finale in this film. Because hey, it's the zombie apocalypse. And no matter how much we love these characters, people don't just walk away from the end of the world.

#1: It pays subtle homage to Romero's films
Without coming right out and painting "George Romero was here" across the side of the mall set, this flick finds subtle ways to honor the godfather of zombie. First, Ken Foree, the actor from the original film, plays the televangelist in the TV segment. Next, Ving Rhames's character is named "Kenneth" in a clear throwback to Ken Foree from the original film. In the opening aerial shot of Milwaukee, a truck runs into a gas station, causing a huge explosion and setting the place ablaze...a clear throwback to a scene Ben recalls in Night of the Living Dead. There's plenty of elevator stuff, which seems to hail back to the original flick, and the setting of a mall is a pretty clear tie-in. Lastly, the character of Steve has a very Harry Cooper-ish character (Night of the Living Dead), and he even goes so far as to lock the heroes out in a zombie infected climax...just like Mr. Cooper. The fact that the filmmakers throw in all these little honorary moments is the mark of true zombie fandom.

All pictures are the property of Universal Studios, 2004.