Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

I think the best review of this movie is by Mike Bracken as he sums up my feelings about Dawn of the Dead so well that I won't have to be as thorough in my review. Rather, I offer a shallow, simple list of why I like this movie.

The Mall Muzak.
Watching those zombies aimlessly wander the suburban mall while this silly, gleeful, and slightly nightmarish mall muzak plays is just funny and somewhat disturbing. The muzak is divinely supplied by the Goblins, known for their soundtrack to Argento's Deep Red. It doesn't take much of a stretch to envision the typical American mall with people wandering aimlessly, occasionally being awed by the stuff they don't need while instrumental, subliminal mall muzak like Michael Bolton plays so innocently in the background. The zombies, rarely satisfying their urges for fresh flesh, stare longingly at the humans who are protected by the department store's security glass. It's like when I go to the mall looking to satisfy my urge for useless stuff, but never quelling it completely.

Survivalism.
I like movies in which the lead characters must survive using wit like Swiss Family Robinson. The three main characters are competent for the most part, using walkie talkies and securing parts of the mall. The two men raid the gun and sporting shop for necessities like the ever handy shotgun and duck tape.

Pregnant Woman.
I have always wondered: What happens if a pregnant woman gets infected by a zombie, what happens to the child? is it born a zombie? This movie doesn't tackle this issue, but the lead woman must take the safety for her child into consideration, debating if this crazy world is worth raising a child in.

Shopping Spree
I've thought about hiding in Macy's, in one of the rounders that hold clothes until the store closes for the night. Then I could sneak out and go on a shopping spree - until the motion detector goes off and the cops get me. But that's not what entirely deters me. Frankly, I'd be scared -from watching all these horror movies and the Twilight Zone episode of the department store mannequins that come alive at night - of being in a mall by myself at night even if I could snag a new blouse.

The characters in Dawn of the Dead go on a shopping rampage. They scurry around with shopping carts, dancing like dervishes, trying on clothes and jewelry, and pigging out on the free grub. After awhile they get bored, but it was fun while it lasted.

Zombies 70's Style
The green-faced zombies are so cool. Some have these puffed-out afros and tight denim bell bottoms. Women wear pastel polyester with paisely designs. One zombie looks like Kristy McNichol from that naughty summer camp movie.

Tom Savini and the Biker Gang.
It's easy to be fustrated by the stupid, rash biker gang who disrupts the mall's calm, but then we get to see the zombies being hacked, shot, and hammered - for recreation. The zombies are dumb and don't resist much, but the gang is a rowdy bunch. This is the type of gang who would've beaten up someone anyway, now the zombies give them license. Oh ya, Tom Savini makes the gang seem a little less threatening as their leader considering he's the one who is literally making the zombie heads explode.

Savini is the master in horror FX, creating gruesome effects for Friday the 13th, Argento's Trauma, and many others. I once did an oral report on him for an 11th grade English class. I even had a video to show his amazing work from an old horror documentary, Masters of Horrors (I think). I got an A on the assignment, but my teacher stopped me from finishing the speech & show as not to upset the students. I told her it was either Savini or Churchhill.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age