Name: Dawn of the Dead: a Classic Watch
Item: Dawn of the Dead
Rating: 65
Author: @storicious

Back in time, I used to watch lots of zombies stuff, even in this present time, I am a big fan of this genre. So decided to give this old movie a try. Old? Well, it is almost 2027, so I can say that, right?

Although, I doubt that I enjoyed it, like the way I used to. There are still good zombie movies out there, but this one is just okay.

Some Basic Stuff

On some basic searches one can find that, it is directed by Zack Snyder and written by James Gunn.

The Plot.

So, Dawn of the Dead follows Ana - played by Sarah Polley - whose ordinary life turns into a nightmare when a mysterious outbreak transforms people into horrific zombies. Just imagine, you are having a usual life, enjoyed some good intimacy with your partner last night. Next morning, everything is changed; everything is gone. I think the name really suits it.

Source

Moving forward, after narrowly escaping her infected neighbourhood, Ana joins a group of survivors, including Kenneth, a police officer. Eventually, they find refuge in a big shopping mall. A smart choice indeed. Because, shopping mall really have almost everything to survive. In this shopping mall, they encounter other survivors and attempt to establish some sense of normality. Normality? A pretty dumb word to summarise it.

As said above, for a while, the mall seems like the perfect place to survive. There is food, shelter, security and pretty much everything one might need. You can have everything just for you, without worrying for anything.

But, as expected, things do not remain peaceful for long. Supplies are limited, tensions rise and the survivors realise that hiding forever is not an option. They decide to escape and head towards an island. Another good thinking, hoping to find safety away from the infected.

And that is where things get more zombified!

The Classic Stuff.

I have always enjoyed this aspect. These movies are the best source of escapism. Yes, I can say that because I am not living there. I am just chilling out here. From worrying about your next shift, you are just trying to survive.

For classicism, the move has familiar ingredients: a mysterious outbreak, abandoned streets, blood and blood everywhere, desperate survivors and the constant fear of turning into one. Becuase, one wrong move and you are done.

However, there is one scary thing: the fast-paced zombies.

Like come on, zombies having this much pace should be illegal. One bite and even a grandma will turn into prime Usain Bolt. Then, there is insane strength they carry. Right in the beginning, a damn man just punches the windshield, and damn broken.

Jump Scares!

Well, the starting one were quite good. Basically, the sound system made it all really great. Later on, they were there; but this mind of mine got used to those. Dah! But I will still give good marks for this approach.

One man army: Andy!

Well a single man surviving all alone is bit hard. But he got some survival instincts. He is a good sniper, has food, good at chess. The survivors at the mall and Andy communicated via board writing and binoculars. He was really fun to watch. But his ending was tragic. Rip Andy and everyone else.

The Ending (Spoiler)

The survivors, after some planning, eventually attempt to escape the mall using buses and make their way towards a marina. Their plan is to reach an island by boat, where they hope the zombie outbreak will be less of a threat.

Of course, things do not go according to plan. The escape costs several survivors their lives; and even reaching the boat does not guarantee anyone's safety.

Then there is Michael sort of protagonist, who has developed a close relationship with Ana, is bitten. Knowing that he will eventually turn into a zombie, he chooses to stay behind rather than endanger the others. It is a sad moment, especially after watching the survivors struggle to stay alive together for this long. But that scene really lacked good emotions.

Next ahead, Ana and the remaining survivors set off towards the island. For a moment, it feels as though they might have finally escaped. Sort of a new beginning.

But the end credits reveal what happens next through footage recorded by the survivors. Their supplies begin to run low, and when they finally reach the island, they discover that it is not the safe world they had hoped for. More zombies appear, and the footage ends in chaos.

So, did they survive? The movie leaves us without a proper answer. But my take is: they failed!

In the end, it is an entertaining zombie movie - probably my nostalgia made me say it, but I cannot say that it impressed me. Perhaps I have watched too many movies from this genre, or perhaps my taste has changed over the years. Who knows.

Maybe I am just getting old.