OK Saw it this morning at a local theater. There were all of 7 of us there and it was the earliest showing for the greater Little Rock Area. Kind of disappointing, but hopefully more folks are watching the later showings. I'd like this movie to do fairly well so that Mr. Romero will be encouraged to make more. Yeah, I'm a Zombie Freak.... http://www.starshipmodeler.net/cgi-bin/phpBB2/images/smiles/biggrin.gif

Anyhow, a brief review, which I'll try and keep as spoiler free as possible. If you've seen the commercials, you'll already have an idea of what one of the underlying themes of the movie is - Zombies are learning to do things. They're not just brainless drones set on eating the living as their one activite ability. http://www.starshipmodeler.net/cgi-bin/phpBB2/images/smiles/shock.gif

The movie is set somewhere around 3 years after "The End" came. A large group of survivors - apparently numbering in the tens of thousands, tho I don't recall hearing an exact number thrown about - have gathered in one section of a large city - Pittsburgh? - that is surrounded on two sides by a river and the other two sides have a large electrical fence. The fenced perimeter has armed guards at checkpoints with Assault Rifles. The Priviliged live in a skyscraper that apparently was built just prior to the Dead Walking while what appears to be the majority of the survivors live in the several square blocks surrounding the tower of the rich. The survivors send out groups to forage the small outlying towns to get much needed supplies, such as canned foods and medical supplies.

Only the priviliged appear to be allowed to have their buildings lit and have their own army of security goons to keep unwanted others out. I'm going to guess there are several hundred in the tower, not including the guards. They get the best of everything the foragers bring back, including the occasional case of booze and box of cigars. The privilged and "regular" people alike are all led by one man - Kaufman.

The story revolves around the leader of the Foragers - Riley. Riley is tired of existance in the compound and wants to leave - to hit the open roads and "go north". However, he's viewed as an invaluable resource, having designed the ultimate Forager vehicle - Dead Reckoning. Dead Reckoning is the ultimate in Urban Assault Vehicles. I have no clue what it was built off of, but it's one huge hunk of metal with an attitude. It features what appear to be 5.56mm chain guns, mortars, rockets, a number of firing ports for 7.62mm and .50cal weapons and a variety of low-light camera's w/monitor's all over. Dead Reckoning was designed and built by Riley, so he knows the vehicle like nobody else.

I'll leave my review at this point and say that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, tho was a bit disappointed. I guess I was expecting something more. Romero doesn't let us forget that The Dead Walk, tho it's not quite as psychologically taut as "Night", where the people in the farm house never really feel truely safe. It's more like "Day" in that the survivors have a safe haven, except these survivors have reached a sort of balance w/the Zombies inhabiting their city. Mostly because the Zombies have learned to stop attacking the electrified fence, so stay away from it.

As I've already mentioned, the Zombies have started to learn and communicate with each other. The idea about Zombies actually learning, having some level of intelligence was first introduced in the original "Night of the Living Dead" when one of the scenes showing the television has a broadcaster mentioning that The Dead have been seen using simple objects as tools, such as using a rock to break out a window or bust open a door. In "Dawn of the Dead", we see one of the Zombies carrying around Rogers rifle as if he had an idea of what it was and was trying to remember how to use it. In "Day of the Dead", we have Dr. Logan teaching "Bubb The Zombie" behavioral adjustments, wherein Bubb pretty much starts to act like Dr. Logan is his friend or mentor or something else along those lines that means Logan was not only familiar to him, but something "special".

If you're a horror fan or even a casual fan of the "Dead" movies, I highly recommend this movie. If you're a hardcore Dead Fan, you've got to see it - why haven't you already rushed out...? http://www.starshipmodeler.net/cgi-bin/phpBB2/images/smiles/eusa_eh.gif

Saw it today at the noon show.

Impressed with the movie except that I think Romero should have used unknowns for the characters. Of course that had more to do with Universal than Romero.

I loved the way that they used the original Universal logo at the beginning of the film. That was a totally sweet touch that they should have used with Van Helsing.

I have no problem w/them using "face" actor's like John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper, Asia Argento, etc... Especially when the performance they give fits the characters. That what I really liked about the actors in this movie, as they seemed to fit the roles a bit better than the majority of those in the original three "Dead" movies. The only one I wasn't overly impressed with was Hopper, and it had nothing to do w/him giving a poor performance, more that he's played that same basic role enough times that I've become somewhat tired of it....

Overall, tho, I thought even the background character actors did a great job and I totally bought everyone's performances in this one. I love the "Dead" series of movies, but the one thing that's always kind of bugged me about them is that the caliber of actors has been "average" for the majority of the movies and performances we're given. "Land" gave us some highly believable characterizations for pretty much everybody we see - from the "kid" at the beginning of the movie to the "suit" towards the end when they're backed up against the fence.

And yeah, that Universal Logo was DaBomb. The guy sittin' across the aisle from me was lookin' at me as if I were nuts while I was laughing during the opening credits stuff.

Saw it tonight after the midnite showing last night was cancelled for some reason. The 7:30 show was so crowded I had to sit in the second row.

I loved it. Romero did an outstanding job, I have no idea of the budget but it was probably more than all three previous "Dead" films. The difference in production is as striking between "Land" and "Dawn" as "Dawn" was over "Night". I liked the cast, Dennis Hopper almost steals the show, even liked Leguzmo who I usually find annoying.

The make up was just amazing, without going into spoilers I'll just say you'll see some new stuff. I spotted Tom Savini but couldn't spot the "Shaun of the Dead" guys. I couldn't figure out what kind of vehicle Dead Reckoning was underneath the armor. I loved the fireworks idea. Asia was easy on the eyes.

No major complaints, though the Big Daddy stuff was just a bit heavy handed. Romero skewers the class wars in "Land" as effectively as consumerism in "Dawn".

Just got back from seeing it. I saw Savini but even though I was looking for them I never did spot the "Shaun of the Dead guys. I read the "Dead Reckoning" vehicle was based on a large truck though don't know what specific make.
I thought the movie was great, far better than the most recent remake of "Dawn of the Dead". It had a good progression of the mental changes in the Zombies that were seen in "Day of the Dead." I can't find any real flaws with the movie. I thought all the actors were pretty good in their roles. Movie had a steady pace to it and I never found myself bored despite working last night and being dead (so to speak) tired.

Boyd Banks who played Tucker from the remake "Dawn of the Dead" was also in "Land". He played the Butcher. Didn't recognize anybody from "Shaun of the Dead", tho.

Didn't recognize anybody from "Shaun of the Dead", tho.

According to IMDB Simon and Edgar are the photo booth zombies.
This may make more sense if you've seen the film.

Simon played Shaun and Edgar was the director of Shaun of the Dead.
Edgar plays a very far in the background zombie in Shaun of the Dead

Jim

"Simon and Edgar" who? Simon Baker from "Land of the Dead"? Simon Pegg from "Shaun"? Which movie are this "Simon and Edgar" in that they played "photo booth zombies"? I've only seen "Land" the one time and had to leave at one point to use the restroom so might have missed something, so is that what you're referring to w/"photo booth zombies"?

Sorry Jeffrey if I was not being clear.

I was replying to your statement about 'Shaun of the Dead'. You said...

"Didn't recognise anybody from 'Shaun of the Dead', tho"

The guys from shaun of the Dead Are Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright.
According to IMDB they play 'photo booth zombies'

You were unlikely to spot Edgar (Wright) as he was only on screen as a zombie far in the distance in 'Shaun of the Dead'. Simon Pegg should be easier to spot as you know what he looks like.
Since they're only in a small cameo, and you missed part of the film it entirely likely that you missed them completely.

Jim

I think "photo booth Zombies" means they played the two zombies who were chained up in Fiddlers Green so the people could get their picture taken with them. I didn't recognize them either.

Ah! OK I'm w/you now, "portland182"! And thanks for the input, Phil. I appreciate that. I'm thinking of making another 11:10am showing tomorrow, so will definitely keep an eye out for that particular scene - which I saw in my first viewing, but didn't recognize anyone in particular, tho one of the two "Photo Booth Zombies" sort of looked like Bub the Zombie from "Day" upon first glance.

tho one of the two "Photo Booth Zombies" sort of looked like Bub the Zombie from "Day" upon first glance.

That's Simon, according to the imdb,and the resmblence to Bub was intentional.

Anybody that hasn't seen Shaun of the Dead ought to check it out. The first thing I realized when I watched it was that it's trailer didn't accurately reflect the movie, the trailer makes it look kinda stupid imho. It's no surprise that Romero loves Shaun, it plays like a Romero Dead film, despite the humour and British sensibility. And out of all the Dead films, it has by far the best ending.

Oh, yeah. Great movie!

I agree about the commercials making it look pretty crappy. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but wanted to see it as soon as I heard about it. Love how it's more of a Zombie Flick w/comedy elements than a Comedy Flick w/Zombie stuff. I can easily see people freaking out like that and trying to inject humor in to their totally F***ed situation. That's how I generally do stuff when things go to crap in my life - look for any bit of humor I can find to keep my sanity alive and well.

I don't have it on DVD yet, but it's on my Amazon.com Shopping Cart for ordering this coming payday - along w/"Day of the Dead - Divimax Special Edition", "The Omega Man", "Silent Running" and a couple of books for the kids. The description for the "Shaun" DVD looks quite good, with all the usual extra's along w/a look at Simon's video diary, Simon and Edgar's pitch to the studio and the outtakes w/Simon & Nick playing Sean Connery and Michael Caine. Sounds like an excellent buy!

Loved the movie! Went to see it yesterday afternoon and had a great time. The only thing that felt at odds with previous Dead flicks was the ending--not a bad thing, just different--and maybe in a good way.

I couldn't take my eyes off the female lead--great looking and really good actress. The Dead Reckoning pilot chic was nice, too--didn't see enough of her. Both would make great subjects for garage kit manufacturers.

Zombie effects were out of this world. I liked the inclusion of the more dessicated corpses, as well as the 'fresher' looking ones, this time around. The garbage pit zombie was a very nice touch, too. The whiplash zombie was my favorite.

I didn't recognize the actors in this film, although I did recognize Tom Savini in his cameo as a zombie.

I thought the Zombie makeups were not as creative as in the earlier films. Not that it wasn't good, but, the good characters were the old characters that were recycled. None of the new Zombies really looked that cool that I remember them. I probably should see this film again.

The theater had about 20 people in it when I saw it on thursday at 7PM during the first week of the movie's run. Most of the audience, if not all, was at least 15-20 years younger than me. The audience had the biggest reactions to the jokes and the gore.