 Fear not cult horror movie fans
first time director Zack Snyder does George Romero proud here. In fact, in my opinion 'Dawn of the Dead 2004' perhaps even (dare I say it?) outshines the original 1978 version. It's frighteningly funny, slick and has a very definite bite!
Even though a remake does usually suggest that Hollywood has run out of ideas, I really do feel that there's no shame in indulging in a new interpretation of an old idea, and that's exactly what this film allows! Snyder has been wise here though and recycled (using only the most basic of elements), rather than tried to copy. The terror-fest begins when nurse, Ana (Sarah Polley), wakes up to discover she's quite literally stuck in a scene from a horror movie
now this might sound obvious with it being a horror movie and all, but when she goes to bed all is well and the next morning all hell has broken loose, and flesh eating zombies (including the once sweet little girl from next door) are roaming the streets of her neighbourhood. In a desperate plea to flee Ana manages to jump into her car and head out on the highway, but soon discovers that this is not just local, but world-wide chaos and the dead are hunting the living!... like the tag line says, 'When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.' Rescued by a cop called, Kenneth (Ving Rhames), the pair soon find shelter with a group of other survivors in the nearest shopping mall, which seems comfortable and secure at first, until they begin to run out of food and then the power goes out!
and it really is as scary and gripping as it sounds, but don't forget this is a black-comedy so there are also plenty of laughs along the way too, to lighten the load. There's nowhere left for the gang to hide now and so it's time to take action! Their plan is to head for a presumably uninfested island in the area, via a small fleet of armoured buses. BUT, before they can reach the waters edge, can they make it across the sea of zombies? It's certainly going to be a struggle, considering that these moving corpses are much more pacey than those in 1978 and shift more like the undead in '28 Days Later'. With plenty of gruesome special effects, this film is nothing short of gore-gasmic and if you do go and see it make sure you sit right through the end credits, otherwise you'll miss the whole point of the film! Don't miss our films section! You know you wanna have a nosey at it! The views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC. | 
