Day 27: Survival of the Dead.

Day 27: Survival of the Dead (2009, Dir. George A. Romero)

In 1968 George A. Romero practically invented the modern Zombie film, he then went on to define it with the 1978’s Dawn of the Dead. In 1985 he continued the legacy with Day of the Dead. Twenty years later Romero returned to the franchise with Land of the Dead (2005) and Diary of the Dead (2007), now the 6th film, Survival of the Dead takes its place amongst one of horror cinemas biggest epics; but is it any good?

Much like I’ve mentioned in my Star Wars and Indiana Jones review’s any sequel (or indeed prequel) to such a loved franchise which is a long time coming is going to be the subject of some scrutiny. With many fans being so involved with the originals any new films are going to have a lot to live up to. But dismissing this film, or indeed any of the newer films by the auteur for just being new is completely unjust. Here Romero manages to take the series to new places and explores new territory giving us a really new and unique take on the tried and tested zombie formula.

However, in the modern cinema landscape zombies have became a bit old hat. They have either been amped up to be super-zombies like in 28 Days Later or The Dawn of the Dead remake or the un-dead have became somewhat of a shambling joke. Well this film proves that zombies still can have the horror bite if dealt with affectively. Of course Romero zombie films really work because they’re not actually about zombies at all. The zombies have always acted as a catalyst to expose a social tension in society and how this makes corrupt humans the real villains. That’s not to say this film doesn’t have its fair share of scares and gore too, gaining plenty of jumps and gross outs along the way. I’ll just add, watch out for the crow...

This instalment of the series also decided to focus on a supporting character from the previous film, a soldier that turns up for one scene where he seems to be a bit of a one dimensional dick. One of the most interesting aspects of this film is the depth his character develops from this and the journey he goes on. The two rival families provide an interesting tension in the narrative which does make for an intriguing plot. The plots core theme of family and survival is a problematic one which is interestingly explored. By not sticking to the interesting handheld visual approach he used in Diary of the Dead, Romero delivers one of his most visually stunning works with the rich landscape oozing a rustic beauty that is picturesque and atmospheric but also works very well for a horror film.

The film isn’t without its flaws; the fact that it is the 6th part of the story means that in some respects the flesh is starting to look a little less fresh. Some of the more unique zombie kills are a bit questionable, whilst being good ideas they occasionally fall to the productions lower budget. Not to say these kills aren’t a bit of fun gore too though, notable mention to the outrageous flare zombie. Whilst the characters themselves may have interesting traits, having the islanders as Irish descendents who are all farm workers and “simpler folk” seems to be a bit stereotypical and an easy characterisation. It is perhaps an easy criticism to say the social satire these films rely upon has been weakened of late due to there being 3 new films in the last decade, but I think it’s clear the director still has a lot to say and does it in a way few others can.

Survival of the dead may not be Romero’s finest work; not as iconic as Dawn or revolutionary as Night, however it does work fantastically well. It’s a gripping and brooding film that mixes drama, horror and social commentary, proving that after 40 years George still has plenty to show us in his Zombie genre.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1134854/

Extra: “Rrrrraaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh” Zombie. - http://tiny.cc/dkwPD