Survival Of The Dead (2010)

Survival Of The Dead (2010)
Written and Directed by George A. Romero

I think I should establish a couple of things before I 'review' this film. First, I'm a big fan of the whole series. I even enjoy the much-maligned Land and Diary. It's really a great franchise. However, I am odd...

I actually don't rank Dawn as highly as most fans do. It just doesn't appeal to me as much as most of the others. In fact, my feelings on the films are pretty odd - you won't find many horror fans agreeing with me on this one. For the purposes of this review, here's how I stand on the George A. Romero 'DEAD SAGA'.

1. Day Of The Dead
2. Night Of The Living Dead
3. Land Of The Dead
4. Dawn Of The Dead
5. Diary Of The Dead

Please remember when reading this list that it's is not based upon how well the films are made. Dawn is undeniably, technically superb. It has an excellent story and the performances are great... but I don't really enjoy it. Now here's the thing. This series hit bottom with Diary Of The Dead. A cheap (too cheap) pointless retread of the Zombie outbreak, with a Blair-Witch style presentation. There was nothing new, just tired old cliche's being dusted off and reused.

So I was really eagre to get on with Survival. I hoped (and prayed) it would be a return to form and I managed to keep away from most spoilers. I was excited to see the flick - and I was dissapointed when it didn't even get a small theatrical release here in the UK. This should have been an early warning sign, but I ignored it. It was made outwith the studio system, so DTV was to be expected. Besides... not every DTV movie is bad.

Except even Diary impressed someone enough to get a theatrical release. Didn't think of that... should have. The first thing I notice about the flick is how cheap it looks. Which is fair enough, it was cheap. Diary cost $2 million and managed to (sort of) hide it's low budget by its very nature. The acting is also of standard DTV quality.

The plot is bizarre. Two warring Irish families, wandering army dudes... some kid. An island... I dunno... it's not confusing or anything, just pretty stupid. The best thing about the original trilogy was the drama that built up around the characters who were caught up in the zombie outbreak. The gore was just an added (awesome) bonus. Here it's just guys with guns and irish guys with guns shooting zombies. I don't have that much to say about this, because the film doesn't offer very much to talk about. Terrible flick... the sad thing is if Romero makes another one I'll still grab it on release. I should learn my lesson from this...