The LIVING DEAD franchise (1968-2009)

You didn’t find the blocking the mall entrance doors with trucks set-pieces in the original Dawn to be suspenseful?


Looks like we differ largely on the original Dawn. Compared to the cautious uncertainty of Night, I actually like how Dawn had that ‘sense’ of control with its characters... because in the end it was actually their own downfall. So in a way they were inferior to the threat, because they were riding their luck. But things could quickly escalate into dangerous territory. Thinking you’re in control meant the confidence to take a risk, even an unwise one. Two squad guys who know how to handle themselves, breathes confidence in flyboy and his girlfriend to follow suit. So they become comfortable when things go to plan, however this also can lead to sloppiness. It’s human nature when things come easy, and this open up possibilities to mistakes. Most likely fatal in these circumstances. I think Romero did a good job implementing the concept.

For me the suspense came from the unpredictable nature of waiting for someone to slip up as the danger was always there e.g Peter and the trucks. It was like waiting out a ticking time bomb. Even flyboy underestimated the threat of the zombies when the bikies entered the mall. His focus shifted away from the zombies... because they were slow and easy to dodge/push over... but the real threat were the numbers scattered over various spaces. Overwhelming numbers to draw your focus and this left you vulnerable to a loose roaming zombie. It only took one false step. So controlling the mall was important, but also it had consequences by leading to a false sense of mind that you’re in control and the entitlement which came from it. His mindset was still in that mode during the chaos, which wasn’t ideal. He paid for not adapting to priorities and changing circumstances. So I feel it was deliberate by Romero to hopefully lull the audience into the same mindset. It worked for me.

Looks like you missed out on Steve Miner’s Day of the Dead remake with Mena Suvari and Ving Rhames.

Clueless.

Not really a 'franchise' again, but closer this time.

Everyone knows that the first two are classics, and Day of the Dead has its merits. Return of the Living Dead is loads of fun, but I was never really fond of the sequel, and I don’t think I ever saw the third one.

I don't think I ever gave Savini's Night of the Living Dead remake a fair shake, but I'll reconsider it since a lot of people seem to speak rather highly of it.

The Zack Snyder Dawn of the Dead remake is decent. It's got some cool imagery, but some of the style is hollow and shallow in the way that Zack Snyder movies often are. He doesn't have any of the commentary or point of view that Romero had in mind.

These later in-name-only movies like the Day of the Dead with Ving Rhames, I've heard and can assume are awful.

George A Romero's 'Dawn of the Dead' 1/10? It's the greatest film of all time. I'm going to have to seek therapy for shock and PTSD after seeing that rating and the ratings for some of the other classics. To each their own though. 

I've not seen all the films linked to the franchise but i've seen the ones below. I'm not a massive fan of horror or zombies but i wanted to check some out because of how well known they are

1. Night Of The Living Dead 1968 5/10
2. Dawn Of The Dead 1978 6/10
3. Day Of The Dead 1985 7/10
4. Return Of The Living Dead, The 1985 6/10
5. Return of the Living Dead Part II 1988 5/10
6. Night Of The Living Dead 1990 4/10
7. Return Of The Living Dead III 1993 4/10
8. Dawn of the Dead 2004 7/10
9. Land of the Dead 2005 6/10
10. Diary Of The Dead 2007 4/10
11. Day Of The Dead 2008 7/10
12. Survival Of The Dead 2009 5/10
13. Day Of The Dead Bloodline 2017 5/10

Give it a shot, i thought it was worth the watch