LAND OF THE DEAD
A Universal Pictures release
Story - $10.50
Acting - $9.50
Directing - $9.50
Production Design - $10.50
Special Effects - $10.25
Score/Music - $9.50
*"REEL" VALUE - $9.96 = The story is vintage
Romero, and it’s a great DEAD zombie film, but the technical aspects
have a more contemporary commercial feel.
SYNOPSIS: In a post-zombie modern-day world the dead roam an
uninhabited wasteland as the living try to lead normal lives behind the
walls of fortified cities. Fiddler’s Green is one such oasis for the
rich, built by an enterprising and ruthless opportunist named Kaufman
(HOPPER) who lives in the towers of a skyscraper, high above the dire
existence of the unlucky folks living on the streets below. Outside the
city walls an army of the dead is evolving and inside anarchy is on the
rise. A group of hardened mercenaries, lead by Riley (BAKER), run regular
supply runs into the wasteland in assault truck he design, Dead Reckoning.
When Kaufman slights his second in command, Cholo (LEGUIZAMO), he steals
Dead Reckoning and threatens the safety of the city. Riley is forced to
retrieve the truck, supplied with a crew handpicked by Kaufman, and to
protect the living from Cholo and an army of the dead.
REVIEW: It’s been about 20-years since George Romero ventured
into the land of the “undead,” a.k.a. zombies, Since than a bunch a
films, videos, and computer games have come along that have either
ripped-off or paid homage to Romero’s films. In fact, George’s last
successfully commercial film was his 1993 collaboration with Stephen King
on the cinematic adaptation of “The Dark Half.” He did make another
film in 2000 called “Bruiser,” but that failed to gain favor with even
his diehard fans. The good news is that after this somewhat of a cinematic
sabbatical one of the true masters of horror is back and just about at the
top of his game.
The reason why I’m not ecstatic with LAND OF THE DEAD is two-fold. First
off, I had the chance to read the screenplay and that was not just
“vintage” but “classic” George Romero. The story arch drew from
all of the “Dead” films, as well as featuring elements that could be
found in his other films like “The Crazies,” “Knightriders,” and,
yes, even “Martin.” The script, which felt a bit long in the reading,
had excellent character build up and offered a subtle commentary on our
current political climate. In the final theatrical cut there are a few
scenes missing and it feels like the studio compromised the narrative in
favor of the pacing. Still, I found it a well-edited compromise.
Secondly, if you are even a contemporary fan of George’s work you know
that his films have a certain style to the shot construction and editing
that is characteristic in all his films. LAND OF THE DEAD marks a
significant change in George’s technique. There are a few more close-ups
and everything is a bit quicker in the cutting between the shots. The
sequences are tighter and he doesn’t seem to dwell on things as long. It
moves the story along, but I think it alters his ability to strengthen the
characters, the performances, and give this film that familiar ambiance.
Again, I’m just pointing this out as a fan of George’s work and
don’t think it will be noticed that much by a more modern audience.
What helps sell LAND OF THE DEAD is a solid cast. I loved Dennis Hopper.
Put him in a suite and tie and there is something creepy about the
character he creates. Asia Argento, daughter of Dario Argento, is a strong
actress and definitely has an equally strong screen presence. I liked
Simon Baker, but have to tell you that the editing on the final theatrical
cut and John Leguizamo’s excellent work overshadows his performance.
Baker comes off just a bit more brooding where he should have had a bit
more strength in his convictions. There are some zombie cameos; most of
them are lost in the background and the quick editing, except for that of
Tom Savini’s zombie work. You can’t help put notice him.
The zombie makeup work is excellent, thanks to Greg Nicotero and Howard
Berger of KNB EFX Group. The digital work is utilized to create the city
and Fiddler’s Green. It’s some outstanding visual and digital work
because you don’t notice that it’s digital.
George Romero is recognized as a true master of horror, and LAND OF THE
DEAD heralds that he is back and at the top of his game. This inevitable
evolution of his zombie mythology is in many ways a contemporary Mad Max
style tale set in a universe of walking dead, however Simon Baker is not
quite Mel Gibson. The world of the “Dead” maybe bleak, yet George
manages to find a ray of hope. It is a hope for humanity, hope for the
future, and, if the film does well enough at the box office, hope for a
sequel.
CREW: Director/Screenplay – George A. Romero; Producers – Mark
Canton, Peter Grunwald, & Bernie Goldman; Director of Photography –
Miroslaw Baszak; Score – Reinhold Heil & Johnny Klimek; Production
Designer – Arv Greywal; Costume Designer – Alex Kavanagh; Special
Makeup Effects Supervisors - Gregory Nicotero & Howard Berger; Stunt
Coordinator - Matt Birman; Visual Effects - Rocket Science VFX, Switch VFX,
SPIN VFX, & Cine-Byte Digital.
CAST: SIMON BAKER… Riley; DENNIS HOPPER… Kaufman; ASIA ARGENTO…
Slack; ROBERT JOY… Charlie; JOHN LEGUIZAMO… Cholo; MAX MCCABE...
Mouse; PEDRO MIGUEL ARCE... Pillsbury; SASHA ROIZ... Manolete; KRISTA
BRIDGES... Motown; ALAN VAN SPRANG... Brubaker; PHIL FONDACARO...
Chihuahua; BRUCE MCFEE... Mulligan.
* Based on the regular $10.50 ticket prices of a Manhattan
theater.
Reviewer: Joseph
B. Mauceri
Score: 
Related web link: Universal
LAND OF THE DEAD Site