ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

GEORGE A ROMERO is a legendary name among horror fans. Forty years ago he made ‘Night of The Living Dead’, a film that matched full-blooded terror with thought-provoking social commentary.

He virtually invented the zombie chiller and encouraged other horror directors to set their sights a little higher. After a lengthy absence, Romero returns to the genre that made his reputation with ‘Land Of The Dead’, an exceptionally gory but smartly written futuristic fantasy.

‘Land Of The Dead’ has the novel idea of trying to create sympathy for the zombie flesh-eaters who now roam the earth. They are evolving into more sophisticated creatures who can communicate with each other. They have also found a leader in Big Daddy (Eugene Clark), an African-American hero typical of Romero’s films.

The zombies are a struggling underclass, but the rest of society is also split along financial lines. Kaufman (Dennis Hopper) and his wealthy associates have built themselves a luxury fortress called Fiddler’s Green.

The rest of the human population lives in slums, behind barbed wire, fearful of the zombies who lie in wait outside and inferior to the elite who live as if nothing in the world has changed.

Riley (Simon Baker) is a mercenary who dreams of breaking away and heading into the wilderness. When the army of the undead start to march on Fiddler’s Green and Kaufman faces blackmail from greedy mercenary Cholo (John Leguizamo), Riley is the one sent on a do-or-die mission to save them all.

Lucky to receive a 15 certificate, Land Of The Dead is not for the faint-hearted, but horror fans will appreciate every moment.

Nationwide release
Director: George A Romero
Stars: Simon Baker, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper, Asia Argento, Eugene Clark
Screenwriter: George A Romero
Certificate: 15
Running time: 93 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2005

© Allan Hunter, 2005