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.

Top 5: Scenes of Zombie Gluttony

I'm sure that today you are all headed to delicious feasts prepared by your loving family. For me, it's Thanksgiving cajun style around noon, and then your traditional Thanksgiving fare around 6pm. By the end of the day, I basically have to be rolled into bed. But zombies? They don't have a loving family to prepare them turkey and mashed potatoes. As a result, they are left to fend for themselves...and boy, do they.

So enjoy this top 5 in honor of the holiday. May it make you that much hungrier.


Honorable Mention: Zombies share in a round of Amy hors d'oeuvres in The Walking Dead
This makes the list, if only because (in both the comic and the show), it seemed like someone really could have done something to stop all the additional little bites. I mean, she's not finger food, people.

http://mimg.ugo.com/201011/6/6/4/132466/cuts/amy-death-complete_480x270.jpg

#5: Little girl zombie decides that mommies make the best dinners in Night of the Living Dead.
Moms really are good at everything: cooking, hugging, listening to your problems...and, oh yeah...devouring the second you turn into an undead freak. I mean, why go for a stranger as your first meal? You don't know where that's been! Take out mom and dad first.

#4: Zombies go for the leg's first--Stephen's legs to be exact--in Dawn of the Dead.
Nothing like a meal that fights back. Just makes that first taste of flesh all the more rewarding. Maybe we should start a new Thanksgiving tradition where we lock a live turkey in an elevator and bludgeon it to death. Us humans, we've lost all sense of barbarism. lol.

#3: Zombies go for David's stuffing first in Shaun of the Dead
For a comedy, this movie sure does do the gore up right. Nothing like being pulled through a window of broken glass and then disemboweled in front of your friends. Delicious. Just makes me want a full plate of stuffing. Check out the version below, or check out a better version here.

#2: Zombies dine on a feast of deep fried Tom & Judy in Night of the Living Dead
This was the scene that caused me to sleep in my parents' bed for a week when I was eight. Nothing like getting the whole zombie family together for some BBQ, right? I hope Tom and Judy had marinated themselves before deciding to become a human buffet because otherwise that meal is going to be a little on the bland side. Start the video below about 1:20 in and stop at 2:30. I had trouble finding one that just had the scene.

#1: Bub hunts his own turkey (Captain Rhodes) in Day of the Dead
You know what's NOT a good idea? Training zombies. Cuz, you know, if you do, they might eventually turn on you and hunt you down with the intention of feeding their very large zombie family. This scene is BY FAR the best scene of zombie gluttony ever. Awesome effects. Sure to have you licking your lips for some turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks that you are not one of the walking dead...yet...