Land Of The Dead

Cast: Simon Baker, Asia Argento, John Leguizamo, Robert Joy, Dennis Hopper
Director: George A. Romero
Screenplay: George A. Romero
Genre: Horror
Rated: MA 15+ strong horror violence, blood and gore
Running Time: 93 Minutes

The Legendary Filmmaker Brings You His Ultimate Zombie Masterpiece

Synopsis:
The world (as humankind has known it) is merely a memory. In its place is the never-ending nightmare existence of us - the living - versus them - the "walkers". What's left of mankind is cordoned off behind the walls of a fortified city while the walking dead roam the vast wasteland beyond. The few wealthy and powerful try to maintain an illusion of life as it was, dwelling high above the city in the exclusive towers of Fiddler's Green, the last bastion of the ruling class. On the streets below, however, the remaining, less fortunate of the city's inhabitants eke out a hard-scrabble life, seeking what little solace they can in the vices available - gambling, flesh trade, drugs - anything that offers even a fleeting respite from the hell their lives have become.

My Verdict:
For many, George A. Romero is the father of the horror genre, especially where zombies are concerned and so it is fitting that Romero returns again to the screen, writing and directing yet another zombie movie, 'Land Of The Dead' having started his illustrious career with the low budget 'Night Of The Living Dead' (1968).

Fiddler's Green is a high-rise building, overseen by the wealthy, ruthless and corrupt Kaufman (Dennis Hopper), who uses the less fortunate to maintain his lifestyle and to protect himself from the zombies that roam the land. He uses the services of Riley (Simon Baker) and Cholo (John Leguizamo), a couple of mercenaries who run retrieval missions outside the city limits from their armoured vehicle, appropriately named Dead Reckoning. Along with a few supporters, they kill zombies and collect luxury items to supply the occupants of the Fiddler's Green, but dissatisfaction sees both Riley and Cholo wanting to head north in search of other "outposts" and both decide on one last mission.

After returning from their last mission, Cholo seizes Dead Reckoning, issues demands to Kaufman who then calls upon Riley to retrieve the vehicle. Riley, along with a small group, set off in search of Cholo.

The short, opening scene of 'Land Of The Dead' is the only one that is set during the day and the rest of the action takes place at night to allow for the roaming nocturnal nature of zombies. One of the differences with this movie, is allowing the zombies to have some sort of intelligence, especially one who seems to be able to motivate others into heading towards Fiddler's Green. Usually, zombies are inane creatures, focussing on their next meal, but here they have an agenda beyond eating flesh, which adds another dimension and they somehow learn to use weapons, which makes for some very graphic and bloody violence. As is the case with any zombie movie, there is an abundance of blood and gore and here it's a feast, with so many new ways to kill, destroy and eat human flesh.

All the cast are very capable, with Hopper being a standout as a great crooked entrepreneur.

'Land Of The Dead' is a step up from the usual straight out flesh-eating zombie movie in that it depicts more than just the usual small rebel group that is desperately trying to survive a zombie onslaught. Here, there are political undertones, as the city exists on two distinct levels - the haves and the have nots - and it uses that to raise issues regarding wealth and privilege. It is certainly one of the better zombie movies that have been made.

Rating : ***½

Christina Bruce