MovieChat Forums > Dawn of the Dead Discussion > Not worth all the hype

Not worth all the hype

posted 8 years ago by yakko360002
22 replies | jump to latest

I had never seen this movie until now, but for years had heard that it was great. I don't think I've ever seen a review less than 3 stars for this movie, and Roger Ebert, who is usually pretty rough on horror films, gave it a lot of praise. Don't forget, he's the guy who along with his co-host the late Gene Siskel, devoted an hour long TV special to talking about how slasher films were undermining the moral character of America and were examples of cinema at it's worst.

Now that I've seen Dawn of the Dead I'm somewhat surprised. It really is a terrible movie. It's not scary, funny, disturbing or entertaining in any way. It's just a big bore. It has none of the elements that fans of horror films usually seem to go for: no good looking women, not much gore, not much comic relief, and not even any campy bad acting. The acting is bad, but not in an amusing or entertaining way. There are no known actors in this, and they have no acting talent at all. They sound like they are just reading lines - no expression in their voices and body language is way off. There's not even any nudity.

The gore and special effects are laughable. The zombies are not even very gruesome-looking (some of the non-zombies are actually uglier) and the blood (what little there is of it) just looks like bright red paint. This is just a total disaster in ever conceivable way. It is not worth anyone's time to watch it. I don't know how anyone who was involved in making this film ever had a career after this. What I really don't get is why so many people like this movie so much. This has had multiple DVD releases while so many other great horror movies have never even been released on VHS.

I'm just glad that I got this at my local library instead of buying or even renting it. If I'd laid out any money at all to see this, I'd feel cheated. It has to be one of the most overrated movies ever, even more than Titanic, The Exorcist, The French Connection, and Risky Business. I didn't like any of those movies very much, but this one makes them look like masterpieces. It really is that awful. Most of the slasher films Siskel and Ebert condemned, even the ones I thought weren't so great myself, are light years more entertaining than this.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] robadub89 8 years ago

This, along with Night and Day are masterpieces.

[–] Untouchable757 8 years ago

Greatest zombie movie ever made and one of the Top 3 Horror films of all-time IMO (up there with The Shining and The Exorcist).

OP deserves to be kicked in the balls, repeatedly.

[–] acidwolf 8 years ago

What hype? The movie came out 40 years ago

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] andersb-36022 8 years ago

I used to think like the O.P. when I first watched it. Circles of people told me how great it was, "legendary" one person said, for the zombie era. Then I watched and said, "That's it?" I found humor in the movie unlike you some stuff unintentionally funny. However after watching multiple times I think it's revered by nostalgia buffs for being somewhat pioneering for it's time. If you were twenty-something or even thirty-something or younger when it was released it's got a special place in your heart. That's where I feel the draw is coming from and what has inspired zombie movies since then. People go back to it in tribute. Personally, I have Dario Argento's version on my shelf which quickens the pace of the movie over the U.S. theatrical release and it has the Goblin soundtrack. It remains my favorite version of the movie.

[–] negativec07 8 years ago

I love this film but I can see why someone wouldn't enjoy it if they'd only seen the likes of 28 Days Later or The Walking Dead. For me it captures the chaos of an outbreak perfectly and is full of memorable moments, but even for the time some of the makeup and acting was decidedly ropey

[–] kinshasaaaaa 8 years ago

I'm watching it right now and some of the scenes are downright amateurish. Namely the scene where one of the characters is grappling with a zombie and is trying to reach for a mallet while the woman he is with stands feet away yet refuses to at the very least, hand him the ruddy weapon to assist! Yes, there is another zombie heading her way (about fifteen feet away, mind) yet she just stands there looking feckless. Such direction is inexcusable for a film due to be released worldwide.

[–] julesfmb 8 years ago

I was 19 when first saw it. Love it then as much as now.
Aside from "higher" qualities, it's also one of the most entertaining films i've ever seen.

[–] Corky666 8 years ago

You must've been born from a crack whore. This is a masterpiece, now kill your self

[–] Jreader (12) 7 years ago

Hey dickweed!

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

I meant it MORON

[–] gparcella 8 years ago

You sir are an unwashed rectum.

[–] artguylarry (498) 6 years ago

That's the best thing I've ever heard in my life. I don't know if this person is on the new board, but they win the internet in my opinion. I am going to start using this.