Dawn of the Dead

[FH]

Showing my age here, but I saw the original waaaay back in the day in the theaters and loved it. It got me into zombie-flicks such as Day of the Dead, the original "Night" (and it's remake), the first Return of the Living Dead (which is more of a parody), Resident Evil (which was okay), and 28 Days Later. This new one isn't really a remake of the original-it basically only has the mall-setting and zombies in common. It even throws the obligatory original-cast cameos in for good measure. This movie was a bit more influenced by 28 Days Later whereas the zombies run and scream, rather than stumble and mumble. Seemingly, the "plague" is started by a virus but the origin of it isn't really mentioned at all. It must be a virus because when a couple of characters are killed by gunshot, they don't return as zombies! This movie starts out with a bang. You really feel like the world has fallen apart at it's seam. The movement of the zombies is scarier than the original-rule of slow-moving zombies. It makes you feel that there's no escape. Make-up effects were great. A bit of CGI here and there when they're showing the destruction of the city but hardly noticable. I still have a soft-spot for the original film compared to the others but this one is a close first place for me. It makes Resident Evil almost unwatchable (How will the Resident Evil sequel compare if they don't show more carnage? That's what a zombie-flick is all about!) and puts 28 Days Later to shame for not having enough action if you would compare it to recent zombie-themed movies. Be sure to stick during the ending credits if you want to see how the movie truely ends.

every one i know was talkin about it for the past couple of days, sounds good.

[FH]

Trivia for Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Actors Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger and Tom Savini all appeared in the original 1978 version of this film, but playing different characters. He delivers the same line, "When there's no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth."

Ken Foree says the tagline from the 1978 version of Dawn of the Dead.

Unlike the original Dawn Of The Dead (1978), which was filmed in a mall open for business (during non-business hours), this remake's mall scenes were shot at the former Thornhill Square Mall in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, an abandoned mall that was slated for demolition sometime after shooting completed.

Members of Rue-Morgue Magazine, a Canadian-based publication had cameo's as zombies in the film.

The WGON Traffic Copter makes an appearance. The WGON traffic Copter was the main transportation for the survivor in the original Dawn of the Dead (1978).

When the survivors initially look at the mall, one of the large department stores signs reads, "GAYLEN ROSS". Gaylen Ross played Fran, in the original film.

One of the invoices in "Andy's Gun Works" is made out to Nicholas Gazda who is the first assistant art director of this movie.

The same trucking company trucks were used outside the mall as in the first dawn of the dead. The company is B.P. Trucking.

One of the clothing stores in the mall is named "Gaylen Ross". Gaylen Ross played the part of Fran in the original Dawn of the Dead (1978).

The "video" shots shown in the final credits were not shot in Toronto. This ending was added after filming was complete and was shot at Catalina Island, California.

One of the most gruesome "zombies" (the bloated woman killed with a fireplace poker), was actually played by a man.

Director Cameo: [Zack Snyder] a member of a commando unit (with shades holding an assault weapon) in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. This scene can be seen during the opening credits montage of video/news clips of zombie attacks.

While they are stocking up on ammunition in the gun store, the music from the gun store in the original film can be heard playing very lightly in the background.

According to director Zack Snyder, Starbucks Coffee refused to be featured in the film.

As the survivors are entering the Crossroads Mall for the first time, the theme to "Super Mario Brothers 2" can be heard as the background muzak

[wahwah]

I remember seeing it too FH and it was very 'bleak' was the best word I could use. I think it was the muzak going on and the zombies carrying on as if life was the same...shopping! There are a couple of films that evoke strange feelings of real loss...made alll the worse since I've become a Dad as anything that shows kids being hurt physically or mentally is a mind fuck and I'll end up in tears!!! My personal faves (wrong choice of word possibly!) would be:

Pay It Forward
A.I.
Monsters Ball

Hell, even the beginning of 'Finding Nemo' leaves me in tears!!!

But without a doubt the bleakest film of all time would have to be 'Johnny Got His Gun' (maybe not quite right FH?) which was the film that Metallica used for the 'One' video. The storyline is done very dream sequence like where a soldier goes off to war and is struck by a bomb which takes his limbs, his balls, his sight and his speech and leaves him unable to move or communicate with the immediate world. God, I was pretty much suicidal after watching it...just my two cents for ya... [img]images/smilies/icon_ball.gif[/img]

[cam-5150]

I don't understand it. This movie probably has horrible violence in it, and no one will say a word about it. But when a movie about Jesus Christ comes out, everybody is horrified and thinks it's too violent. [img]images/smilies/wutblau.gif[/img] Go figure. I guess it's a sign of the shape the world is in.

[eternal]

i saw the movie in the theaters the new version, it sucked

[Mr Crumb]

Dawn of the Dead (1978) was filmed not too far from where I live. www.monroevillemall.com

Night of the Living Dead was also filmed at a town near me. The town(Livermore PA) was demolished by the army corp of engineers in the 50's. The only thing left of it is the old town cemetary. I've drove up there before... it's quite a creepy drive, especially at night. [img]images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif[/img]

[Beka4MikE]

I am not a big fan of the movie I felt the original was much better....however that doesn't mean I am not going to buy it when they put out the special edition......which includes the extra's....new and old version of Dawn of the Dead.......

[Dwight]

[ QUOTE ]
eternal said:
i saw the movie in the theaters the new version, it sucked

[/ QUOTE ]

same here [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img]