October 13, 2016

Just this past weekend, I was fortunate enough to catch George Romero’s landmark zombie epic DAWN OF THE DEAD on the big-screen (and in 3D!) as part of the programming for this year’s annual Beyond Fest. (Report here.) Ever since that screening, I’ve had the 2004 remake in my brain and the urge to give it a rewatch.

It’s been several years since I’ve seen it, and I can’t believe that it’s been 12 years since it hit theaters. I remember it like it was yesterday. Myself and Icons Of Fright co-creator Mike Cucinotta were waiting in line on opening night when we scanned the crowds and realized that a remake of a George Romero movie was most likely going to dethrone Mel Gibson’s PASSION OF THE CHRIST from the number 1 box office slot after remaining there for 3 consecutive weeks. Sure enough, DAWN OF THE DEAD was the number 1 movie in America on it’s opening weekend.

I’ve probably only seen it once since then, but what I do recall is that it’s actually a pretty darned good remake. Or at the very least, exactly what an appropriate remake of a masterpiece should be – a different version of the same story with the spirit of the original in tact, and not necessarily repeating the same exact dialogue. Throwing it on last night, a few things stood out.

For starters, it’s interesting to remember this is Zach Synder’s first movie! Written by James Gunn! And now they’re both at the helm of their own blockbuster DC and Marvel franchises, respectively. Also, I think it’s Synder’s best movie. He directed the shit out of it, and exhibits a tremendous amount of confidence in this story and his approach to executing it.

Basically, the only thing it shares in common with the original is a zombie outbreak happens (which in this version we see; whereas in the original, it was post the events of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD) and the few survivors escape to a nearby mall. That’s about it. Outbreak survivors. At a mall. Got it.

The opening 10 minute sequence could be one of the greatest horror movie openings of all time. It’s tense, fast, furious and no holds barred. Ana (Sarah Polly) comes home from a late shift at the hospital. Her neighbor Vivian (Hannah Lochner) comes over, infected and immediately attacks her husband Luis (Louis Ferreira). And just like that, we see how quickly this version of the zombie plague spreads. Yes, they’re “fast zombies,” but who cares? It’s scary as shit seeing an entire town crumble in the span of 5 minutes before cutting to the opening credit sequence and a Johnny Cash song!

Once in the mall, there’s a group of characters that band together to try to catch a breather and figure out what the hell to do next. But the greatest character the movie introduces, whom I totally forgot about until this revisit, isn’t even part of the main cast. He’s trapped on a rooftop across the street.

That’s right. I’m talking about good ol’ Andy, played by Bruce Bohne.

Andy is the proprietor of Andy’s Gun Works, a gun and ammo shop located a few blocks away from the mall. After barricading his shop, he seeks refuge on the roof of his store hoping that help will arrive in some form.

Armed with binoculars and a dry erase board, he communicates with Kenneth (Ving Raimes) who does the same from the rooftop of the mall. Over the course of the weeks that they’re trapped in their respective spots, the two strike a long-distance friendship. In one of their earliest interactions, Kenneth informs Andy via the dry board that help isn’t coming. Andy scribbles away on his board, holds it up to reveal his reply, “so what’s the bad news?”

Through out the duration of the movie, they end up keeping each other company by playing chess, and at one point, the survivors at the mall request Andy sharp-shoot zombies that look like celebrities. Sure, it’s a bit grim, but the relationship with Andy is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise fairly dark movie.

Things don’t exactly work out too well for Andy when they try to send him food, via their dog Chips. But alas, I want to remember the good things about Andy.

In fact, when interviewed about the remake around the time it was released, George Romero himself said that the relationship between Andy and Kenneth was his favorite addition to the DAWN OF THE DEAD story. Andy totally feels like a character that Romero himself would’ve created in one of his DEAD films.

Andy, you sharp shooting bad-ass, stellar chess player and all around good hearted, humorous guy; we are dedicating this hashtag to you.

#RESPECT

Also of note, if you want more of the adventures of Andy, as a bonus feature on the original DVD release (but sadly not on the Blu-Ray), this little “found footage” segment titled “The Lost Tape: Andy’s Terrifying Last Days Revealed,” we get to spend a little more time with this national treasure.