Editor's Note: This was originally published for FANGORIA on June 23, 2005, and we're proud to share it as part of The Gingold Files.
Zombie movies may come and zombie movies may goand a lot of them have certainly come around latelybut Land of the Dead proves that nobody does them quite like George A. Romero. From the opening scenes, its clear that were back in the hands of the master, the man to whom practically every other filmmaker who has tackled the undead in the last three decades owes a debt. And thats because his movies are never just about the ghouls; theres always an undercurrent of social or political drama or satire, bestowing extra meaning that elevates his Dead films far above simple chronicles of walking corpses devouring the flesh of the living.
And so it is in Land of the Dead, which, as the title suggests, posits the zombies as a society all their own, one that has become the established order. Or, to adapt a tired-out phrase: Its their world, and humans just live in it. In this case, an unnamed metropolis (filmed in Toronto) has been transformed into a walled last holdout for the living, within which the old order still reigns. The rich dwell in a brightly lit tower where the best of civilization is still available for their consumption, while the lower classes eke out a living on the streets, distracted by vices provided for them by that very wealthy upper class. Some of them are employed by the citys overlord, Kaufman (Dennis Hopper), to run missions into nearby communities to pick up supplies, and the movie begins by dropping us into the middle of one such tripwhich, of course, goes gruesomely wrongand introducing us to two of Kaufmans key underlings.
Both of them are anxious to move on from their current situation, but in different directions. Riley (Simon Baker), creator of the huge armored vehicle known as Dead Reckoning in which the team travels, aspires to head for Canada and a potentially more peaceful life. Cholo (John Leguizamo), on the other hand, wants to move up metaphorically; hes been amassing moneythrough partially unscrupulous meansand aims to buy his way into Kaufmans domain. Hes not the only one thus attracted, though; the ghouls in the surrounding area have started to notice the bright lights of Fiddlers Green, the huge residential/retail complex where Kaufman and the moneyed folks live. Led by an undead former gas-station worker called Big Daddy (Eugene Clark), the zombies begin moving in on the cityand theyre learning how to use tools and weapons
Romero thus sets up an allegory about the haves and the have-nots, with both humans and ghouls (referred to as walkers and stenches by various characters) among the latter. The writer/director plays it for both social commentary and satire, and in the latter category, his best creation is Kaufman, a ruthless and selfish despot given echoes of rulers past and present. The name Fiddlers Green evokes Nero and the fall of Rome; Kaufman delivers one line thats an explicit reference to the policies of George W. Bush. The tower where he lives could be seen as an upraised middle finger to the shambling hordes outside the citys walls; too bad he doesnt, or chooses not to, consider that the illuminated structure at night might eventually become a beacon attracting the flesheaters in his direction.
And lets talk the zombies for a moment. Lest this review suggest that Land of the Dead is one big sociological treatise, it should be said that the film provides heaping helpings of the gruesome carnage that has also made Romeros films memorable. The filmmaker may be tackling deep issues here, but hes not above having loads of fun with the many ways in which the dead can dispatch the living and vice versa. Theres the requisite limb-ripping, head removal, gut-feasting and cranial bullet wounds, along with an assortment of original gags that are staged with gusto, for maximum impact. Heads off to Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger and the rest of the KNB EFX team for their endless series of utterly convincing prosthetic decompositions and bloody mayhem, very little of which appears to have fallen victim to MPAA strictures. And yet, Romero and Nicoteros Gore Unit still recognize that its the small, identifiable stuff that really makes an audience squirm; look out for the shots involving belly piercings and fingernails.
Among all the undead action, the living characters make a strong impression too. Land may well contain the best ensemble performances in the Dead series, led by Baker, showing far more colors than he did in The Ring Two, and particularly the dynamic Leguizamo, seething in a palpable stew of ambition and rage. Hopper knows just how to pitch Kaufman so that hes often amusing without tipping over into camp, and remains a legitimate threat. Asia Argento brings spark to the role of Slack, a prostitute rescued from a zombie gladiatorial pit by Riley who becomes his staunch ally, and its fun to see genre-veteran little person Phil Fondacaro as the lowlife who oversees those combat matches. Supporting honors, though, are taken by Robert Joy as another of Rileys comrades, a sort of Lenny to his George, a slow-witted type whose disfigurement in a fire makes him resemble a zombie himself, yet who may be the most human character in the group. Clark also makes a strong impression as Big Daddy, allowing us to see the mind slowly coming to life again behind his dead eyes.
Land of the Dead was shot at a lower cost than the Dawn of the Dead remake, but it looks and feels biggera tribute not only to Romeros facility with a budget, but also to his artistic collaborators. Beyond the KNB boys, the writer/directors vision is ably supported by the moody cinematography by Miroslaw Baszak, the percussive, propulsive score by Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek and especially Arv Greywals remarkably lived-in production design. Michael Dohertys editing also deserves special notice; despite all the aesthetic underpinnings, this is the most plot-driven of all the Dead films, and it moves like the wind, arriving at the climactic action practically before you know it. Some might find the movies closing scenes a tad underwhelming, as Romero chooses to end on a contemplative note, rather than with a big finish or a shocking twist. Yet thats simply reflective of his approach to zombie cinema in general; no matter how many ghouls and how much mayhem he splatters across the screen, its humanity in all its forms that has always concerned him the most. Welcome back, George.
Here is the original post:
Review: LAND OF THE DEAD - FANGORIA
- The Cranberries' Zombie - the story behind the incendiary song - Louder - April 22nd, 2024
- Chris Riddell on the zombie Tory government falling apart at the seams cartoon - The Guardian - April 22nd, 2024
- Zombie grave dating back 4,200 years discovered in Germany, photos show - Miami Herald - April 22nd, 2024
- Steam zombie survival game leaves early access 11 years on, and you've got one week to get it cheap - PCGamesN - April 22nd, 2024
- "Zombie" cicadas with STDs are coming to Virginia - Axios - April 22nd, 2024
- Deathtroopers is the Star Wars zombie horror game I never knew I needed - PC Gamer - April 22nd, 2024
- Zombie Army VR Reveals The Story In Latest Trailer - Bleeding Cool News - April 22nd, 2024
- Where Infected "Zombie Cicadas" In The US Will Emerge In 2024 - TheTravel - April 22nd, 2024
- Zombie anti-abortion laws are menacing American women - The Hill - April 22nd, 2024
- Joe Manganiello to Zombie It Up in Mountain Man Adaptation - Reactor - Reactor - April 22nd, 2024
- Frozen Soul Covered White Zombie and It Rules - MetalSucks - April 22nd, 2024
- Arizona's abortion ban could bring zombie laws back to life in other states - Fast Company - April 22nd, 2024
- Arizona abortion ban shows the dangers of reviving zombie laws - MSNBC - April 22nd, 2024
- Zombie fires smoldering near Canadian oil and gas wells threaten production following 2023 wildfires - WorldOil - April 22nd, 2024
- You'll Never Guess Who Doesn't Want to Repeal a Zombie Abortion Ban - The New Republic - April 22nd, 2024
- Zombie Army VR: New trailer gives a glimpse of the gruesome campaign - MIXED Reality News - April 22nd, 2024
- Zombie Tests: Is the SAT Back From the Dead? - Fair Observer - April 22nd, 2024
- How likely are you to survive a zombie apocalypse in Connecticut? You may want to travel north - Hartford Courant - April 22nd, 2024
- Missouri Reports 162 New Cases Of Deer 'Zombie' Disease In 2023 - Lake Expo - April 22nd, 2024
- Zombie Fires Pose Looming Threat to Canada's Oil and Gas Infrastructure - OilPrice.com - April 22nd, 2024
- Rob Zombie Presenting House on Haunted Hill Soundtrack on Vinyl - ComicBook.com - April 22nd, 2024
- Take on Zombie Stormtroopers In This Star Wars Fan Game - IGN - April 22nd, 2024
- The Best Zombie Game of 2023 Has a New Expansion Out Now - Esports.net News - April 22nd, 2024
- Frozen Soul Debuts Frosty Rendition of White Zombie's 'Creature of the - Knotfest - April 22nd, 2024
- 'Dawn of the Dead' at 45: A Zombie Love Affair That Never Died - The New York Times - April 12th, 2024
- Hyper-sexual 'zombie cicadas' infected with bizarre STD fungus will emerge in US - New York Post - April 12th, 2024
- Zombie malls and other retail centers getting extreme makeovers to keep up with the times - Chicago Tribune - April 12th, 2024
- 'Zombie' drug xylazine found in cannabis THC vapes in UK - BBC.com - April 12th, 2024
- Taxing health insurance: The Republican zombie that refuses to die - Roll Call - April 12th, 2024
- Fungus-infected Zombie Cicadas with hypersexuality to emerge in the US this year: Expert - Hindustan Times - April 12th, 2024
- Zombie Classic Dawn Of The Dead Coming Back to Theaters for 45th Anniversary - MetalSucks - April 12th, 2024
- E-News | 'Zombie cicadas' infected with sexually transmitted fungus expected to emerge this year in parts of US - WVU ENews - April 12th, 2024
- Deadly Zombie Sedative Penetrating The U.K.s Illicit Drugs Market - Forbes - April 12th, 2024
- Seattle Police warn that base ingredient in 'zombie drug' tranq is being sold as standalone pill - FOX 13 Seattle - April 12th, 2024
- Opinion | Today's Opinions: Haunted by zombie law and thrown into abortion time-travel - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - April 12th, 2024
- Rob Zombie Teases 'House of 1000 Corpses' Book With Rare Photos, Original Script and More! - Bloody Disgusting - April 12th, 2024
- Zombie malls getting extreme makeovers to keep up with the times - Detroit News - April 12th, 2024
- 2000s Horror Fantasy Is One Of The Most Unique Takes On The Zombie Genre - Giant Freakin Robot - April 12th, 2024
- Mysterious 'Zombie Neurons' Unlock Secrets of Learning in The Brain - ScienceAlert - April 12th, 2024
- Zombie SKUs: What They Are, How They Work & Results - JumpFly PPC Advertising News - April 12th, 2024
- Arizona Reviving Its Zombie Abortion Ban Is Trump's Doing - The Cut - April 12th, 2024
- Hyper-sexual "zombie cicadas" that are infected with sexually transmitted fungus expected to emerge this year - CBS News - April 12th, 2024
- Should we be concerned about zombie cicadas? - WGN Radio - Chicago - April 12th, 2024
- You need to play this underrated zombie shooter before it leaves Xbox Game Pass - Digital Trends - April 12th, 2024
- End the 'zombie' Comstock Act - Star Tribune - April 12th, 2024
- OPINION - Flesh-eating zombie narcotics are on our streets Britain is badly losing its war on drugs - Yahoo News UK - April 12th, 2024
- What Is Xylazine - The Flesh-Eating 'Zombie' Drug Linked To 11 Deaths in The UK? - Times Now - April 12th, 2024
- Zombie Cicadas To Emerge In Virginia: What To Know - Patch - April 12th, 2024
- What Is "Zombie Drug" Gripping The UK? - NDTV - April 12th, 2024
- OJ Simpson's Final Film Will Resurrect His Naked Gun Character - As A Zombie? - Looper - April 12th, 2024
- Flesh-eating 'zombie drug' sweeping US is linked to 11 UK deaths - The Telegraph - April 12th, 2024
- Flesh-rotting 'Zombie drug' tranq raises alarm in UK - The Times of India - April 12th, 2024
- Zombie Cicadas To Emerge In GA: What To Know - Patch - April 12th, 2024
- What was the first-ever zombie movie? - Far Out Magazine - April 12th, 2024
- Even Will Smith Couldnt Save Zombie Survival Game Undawn, Which Flopped Spectacularly - IGN - March 24th, 2024
- Rob Zombie Recommends This Surprisingly Wholesome Comedy - Dread Central - March 24th, 2024
- Army Writing and the Zombie (Noun) Apocalypse - Modern War Institute - United States Military Academy West Point - March 24th, 2024
- Fatal Fury's Mai Shiranui Is In This Zombie Survival Game For Some Reason - Time Extension - March 24th, 2024
- Should you be worried about 'zombie deer'? | College of Public Health - George Mason University - March 24th, 2024
- 'Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island' Scares Its Way to Blu-ray for the First Time This Spring - Collider - March 24th, 2024
- Rob Zombie hates my guts: GWAR's Dave 'Oderus Urungus' Brockie was a genius, and here's an interview that proves it - Louder - March 24th, 2024
- In the fight against gun violence, Rep. Frost Introduces the Destroy Zombie Guns Act - The Apopka Voice - March 24th, 2024
- Elfriede Jelinek's 'The Children of the Dead' is a historical zombie novel - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - March 24th, 2024
- Germany's Zombie Government Is Fueling the Far Right - The Atlantic - March 24th, 2024
- Zombie Survival Game Undawn Has Crashed And Burned According To A Reuters Report - MMOs.com - March 24th, 2024
- Will Smiths Zombie Game Has Been Hit Harder Than Chris Rock at the Oscars Its Astronomical Budget Was ... - imdb - March 24th, 2024
- Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island / Return to Zombie Island Blu-ray (Warner Archive Collection) - Blu-ray.com - March 24th, 2024
- Registration almost here for Dothans annual Zombie 5K Chase - WDHN - March 24th, 2024
- Zombie magic and gambling club Magic Island will come alive again this summer - Houston Chronicle - March 24th, 2024
- Undawn | The $140m zombie survival game starring Will Smith that bombed while nobody was looking - Filmstories - March 24th, 2024
- After 4 years, a cult classic zombie horror manga from Ga-Rei's creator is finally getting an official English release - Gamesradar - March 24th, 2024
- Will Smith's Zombie Game Has Been Hit Harder Than Chris Rock at the Oscars - Its Astronomical Budget Was ... - FandomWire - March 24th, 2024
- "The game literally no one knew existed": The Will Smith Zombie Survival Game is Reportedly a Big Flop and Fans Are ... - FandomWire - March 24th, 2024
- Zombie-palooza --- Get to the biggest undead music event in the latest Dead Island 2 expansion: SoLA - Gaming Trend - March 24th, 2024
- Bournemouth University medical students treat 'zombie attack' in mass training simulation - The Tab - March 24th, 2024
- Zombie car factories on the rise in China as buyers opt for EVs - Financial Times - March 16th, 2024
- Hey, Remember When Rob Zombie Was Going To Direct THE CROW 3? - FANGORIA - March 16th, 2024
- New Walking Dead Twist Shows How The Zombie Outbreak Will Finally End - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Candid conversations from death row with The Zombie Hunter - Arizona's Family - March 16th, 2024
- Zombie! The Musical - REVIEW - City Hub Sydney - March 16th, 2024
Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero