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03/29/2004: "Shoot that one again! She's a twitcher!"
I saw the remake of Dawn of the Dead yesterday. The film's biggest problems were a lack of claustrophobia and tension when nothing was happening.
The shopping mall the characters took refuge in seemed too big, too empty. There was rarely a feeling that the zombies were, through their presence alone, laying siege to it.
When the characters were fighting zombies there was fear. When they were preparing to go where zombies were or might be, there was suspense. When, for no apparent reason, the first shot of the opening credits showed muslims praying, there was confusion. What wasn't there? A pervading sense of doom.
Don't take my comments as overriding criticism. The film wasn't bad. It was quite good. Better than I'd imagined it would be. I just can't recommend it as essential cinema viewing. One wouldn't miss much by waiting until it's available to rent - though missing it on TV would be a mistake.
(Note: my critical judgement might have been affected by the wet boxer shorts I wore at the cinema. I must remember to make sure my washing is dry before wearing it.)
