As civilization falls, two SWAT team members (Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger), a TV journalist (Gaylen Ross), and her helicopter pilot boyfriend (David Emge), take refuge from the zombie hordes in a shopping mall.
Quick Review: This is the iconic zombie film. The modern concept of zombies was started in Night of the Living Dead, but here is where it all comes together. What was crudely done in the first film is done with finesse here. The characterizations are still weak, but much improved. The violence is extreme, often cartoon-like, and mostly committed on zombies, but when it is on humans, it is visceral. Plus, Dawn of the Dead is funny; it’s pretty dark humor, with entrails on the side, but funny. More than in the first, the zombies represent us. After death, they still shop. Their unlives are just as empty and meaningless as their lives had been. The survivors are us too, and when they are given a chance, they too fall into old meaningless habits of collecting “stuff.” Then there is the road gang. Guess who they represent?
Like many so-called horror films, you won’t be frightened by Dawn of the Dead. Sickened, maybe, but not frightened. It is an adventure film, with social commentary and gore. Enjoy.
Followed by Day of the Dead and Land of the Dead.