2K Replay: DAWN OF THE DEAD

 by Adam Riske

Nominated for “Biggest Surprise of the Year” at the Golden Schmoes Awards. It lost to Shaun of the Dead.

• Best Scene/Moment: The extended action sequence where the group escapes from the mall to make it to the marina.

• Best Song (tie): “The Man Comes Around” by Johnny Cash and “Down with the Sickness” by Disturbed.

• Best Merch: A “2004 Dawn of the Dead Original Zombie Face Appliance…” for $595.00. You can go out in public and act like Tim Robinson in that I Think You Should Leave sketch where he doesn’t even want to be around anymore.

• Director Grade: Dawn of the Dead (2004) was directed by Zack Snyder.
Great Movies: N/A
Good Movies: Dawn of the Dead (2004), Sucker Punch, Zack Snyder’s Justice League
OK Movies: 300, Watchmen, Army of the Dead
Bad Movies: Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League
Unseen By Me: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire, Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver
Overall Grade: B-

• Double It with This 2004 Movie: Shaun of the Dead

• Year 2004 Movies to Trailer Before Them: Blade: Trinity, The Grudge, Saw

• Color of Night or Dawn of the Dead (2004)? Dawn of the Dead (2004)

• Mall Movie? Yes! Because it takes place in a mall.

• Only in 2004: Ty Burrell showing up without you thinking of Phil Dunphy.

• Scene Stealer: Jake Weber.

• I Miss: When discussing Zack Snyder movies wasn’t a loaded topic.

• I Don’t Miss: DVDs that feature an unrated/director’s cut version of the movie but not the theatrical version.

• 2004 Crush: Sarah Polley.

• 2024 Crush: Sarah Polley.

• What I Thought in 2004: I really liked it. I’m pretty sure I saw Dawn of the Dead (2004) before Dawn of the Dead (1978) so that enhanced my experience, I’m sure. I liked the fast zombies, the mall setting, and I thought the characters were interesting and/or sympathetic. It made me think “Who is this Zack Snyder? He’s talented. I can’t wait to see his next movie.”

• What I Think in 2024: I still dig it, especially when the suspense is ratcheted up for the last act. I appreciate that this version tries something different (straight-forward action & horror with much less social commentary) than the original Dawn of the Dead. That movie’s great already so coming up with a new spin on the same plot was a wise choice.