Dawn of the Dead (2004) is an edgy modern remake done right. Unlike the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead, the 2004 Dawn of the Dead has a far better reputation. These zombies are faster and significantly more gruesome with decaying flesh makeup. I mostly knew it for being the directorial debut of Zack Snyder. Before he was known for slow motion comic book adaptations, Snyder brought his signature brand of stylized action and camera filters to the zombie genre. The chaotic opening credits are pure Snyder with “The Man Comes Around” playing over it. Heavy metal songs like “Down with the Sickness” are used during the credits. Ironically, Dawn of the Dead (2004) was also James Gunn’s first opportunity to write a major R rated movie featuring a diverse ensemble cast.
Although Dawn of the Dead (2004) is still about a group of survivors in a shopping mall, the characters and story arcs are different. Sarah Polley is the perfect new female lead as nurse Ana who loses her husband to a zombie neighbor and quickly learns to adapt while holding onto her morals. Ving Rhames is a suitable new black lead named Kenneth who has experience as a cop and a soldier. The first batch of survivors include Jake Weber as everyman Michael, Mekhi Phifer as protective husband Andre, and his pregnant Russian wife Luda. When they reach the mall, they encounter a group of jerk security guards. Michael Kelly is the lead guard C.J. who manages to have a redemptive arc. Kevin Zegers plays Terry who gets redeemed right away. The rest of the survivors arrive by truck. Lindy Booth plays frightened daughter Nicole who loses her father to a bite.
There’s a lady trucker, a non-believing church organist, another injured survivor, a dog, and a sexually active survivor who provides one of many nude scenes. Gunn holds back in terms of comedy, but Ty Burrell is funny as snarky businessman Steve. Though George A. Romero didn’t like the lack of consumer satire, the group does learn to kill time in the mall. Kenneth even befriends a capable gun shop owner across the street. The explosive climax is the best part of any Snyder film and they manage to keep the ending just vague enough without repeating themselves. Snyder and Gunn are a lethal combination. The only time they go too far is with a bizarre zombie baby scene. Though they do respect the original with cameos from Scott Reiniger, Tom Savini, and Ken Foree as a televangelist who utters his iconic line “When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth.” Dawn of the Dead (2004) gave the zombie genre new life.

Zombies
Remake of: Dawn of the Dead (1978)