Dawn of the Dead Review

Written by: Moviemaven   

Dawn of the Dead is my absolute favorite zombie film of all time. So many things have changed since the original forced its way into the dark recesses of my nightmares. This is an epic tale of zombie horror but once again Romero has much more to say and once again, I am all ears.

Dawn starts out in the remains of a television station where the staff are doing their best to maintain order amidst the growing situation all around them.  The world is quickly collapsing under the pressure of the zombie attacks. Martial law is in effect and the government is trying like Hell to keep control. But humans are humans and we aren't always so easy to control. As much as know that cooperation is the only way we can hope to survive in a dire situation, the need to save our own asses always rises up and usually causes trouble. Steven is the helicopter pilot for the station and he decides to take the chopper and run. Along with him is his girlfriend, Fran.

Simultaneously we are introduced to Roger and Peter. They are two SWAT team members that are in the process of cleaning out local housing projects where the family members of the dead are reluctant to give up their shambling and deadly loved ones. We learn here that in the face of a tragedy such as this, emotion will likely be a main contributor to our downfall. Roger knows Steven, so he and Peter decide to cut out and run away in the helicopter.

The foursome ends up inside a huge shopping mall. On one hand, this is the perfect location in which to hide. Inside the mall are all the conveniences of everday living.

Now the story turns to give us Romero's take on human nature. Even when we know it no longer matters, we feel the need to cherish objects. This is made clear by the zombie hordes that are constantly arriving at the mall, presumably driven by the instinct to hold onto what they knew in life. The four have a relatively easy time getting rid of the zombie threat, but what they should fear the most is, as usual, other humans.

Soon their fortress falls under the attack of a traveling band of raiders intent on looting the mall. Some of Romero's most brilliant commentary comes into play during these scenes as we watch the bikers tear through the mall stealing money and even picking up televisions though they are useless by now. Man's desire to have it all weighs heavily on our minds compromising our ability to accomplish what is necessary to keep ourselves alive.

Often humorous but frequently grave Dawn of the Dead allows Romero to prove again that we are our own worst enemy. *sigh* Will we NEVER learn?