Land of the Dead

September 23, 2006

You know what’s even scarier than running zombies? Thinking zombies!

George Romero kicks his zombies up a notch by having them learn to think and communicate with one another. Led by “Big Daddy” – an especially angry looking gas station attendant zombie – the living dead stop staring at fireworks and mount an attack on a human fortress previously believed to be protected on three sides by water. Ha – water is no protection against zombies – they don’t need oxygen!

No stranger to social commentary, Romero brings another idea to the table – eat the rich. In Romero’s world, the rich have forgotten their survival skills in their glass castle and are like fattened lambs led to the slaughter. Once the living dead puncture their fortress, they have no protection – mostly because their long suffering lower class have faded into the shadows, leaving a clear path for their destruction. Romero’s message is loud and clear – when the going gets tough, the rich are fucked.

Simon Baker was very Hugh Jackman-esque in his role as Riley. Mmmmhmmmm. Dennis Hopper was perfect in his role as Kaufman – what’s he been up to lately? [Checking imdb…costarring in The Crow: Wicked Prayer with Edward Furlong and Tara Reid. That sure is sad.] The whole cast was pretty good. Even John Leguizamo was tolerable – and I usually want to kick him in the nads.

Land of the Dead is the first horror movie in a long, long time that kept me guessing – I really had no idea what the fuck was gonna happen next. Since when are zombies unpredictable?

I want zombie sex in the next installment! (Diary of the Dead hits the screens in 2008.)