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Written and Directed by Starring Rated R Presented by 95 Minutes |
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DIARY
OF THE DEAD Review
He’s back ladies and gentlemen. On the 40th anniversary of his seminal NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, a film reminiscent of the harrowing times, George A. Romero has returned to the low budget, independent roots of the original with the ultimate bookmark. Using a cinema verite style not unlike THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, Romero focuses on a group of student filmmakers who document the dead rising all around them. As the world crumbles around them, one of the students decides to document in order for “the truth to come out.” DIARY OF THE DEAD is no doubt an angry film, but a very intelligent one, as Romero presses the questions he has on the current state of the world into the cameras of the filmmakers. The “film” is titled THE DEATH OF DEATH and it’s from documentary student filmmaker Jason Creed (Joshua Close). While shooting a horror film one night, the group along with their professor learns from the news of the dead coming to life. After learning that the media has “hidden” some of the information coming across, Jason films all the events around him as society crumbles with the dead getting bigger and stronger. Jason’s girlfriend Debra (Michelle Morgan) questions Jason’s motives as she only cares about getting home to her family who she can’t connect with once the dead rise. Although promoted as a film told through the lens of filmmakers, what Romero does brilliantly is incorporate these characters’ skills to great effect. When a camera is found in a hospital, it is used for a different point of view, and even security cameras are used to startling effect as the filmmakers edit the film while on the road. They’re not dumb and are crafted very intelligently. The key cast members are splendid, especially Michelle Morgan, who is the strongest heroine in a DEAD film since Lori Cardille. Close is mostly off screen as Jason but is very strong as he lets his art take over his true emotions. He really feels that by sticking a camera everywhere that he will help change the world but at the same time masks his true fear of the situation around him. Shawn Roberts is also excellent as Tony, who supplies a moral center with Debra serving as a balance between the two. Scott Wentworth is also great as Maxwell, the experienced film professor who provides some humor in his desire for a drink, but he also provides great moments as he does his best to educate his students on the horrors around them. You also hear some familiar voices throughout the film in moments where the group is watching television. It’s quite a treat for horror fans. I wouldn’t necessarily say that this is a gory film, but it has its excellent moments throughout and the CGI has never been used better, particularly in a zombie’s head melted by acid. You’ll also discover that Romero still has creative ways to off the undead in this one with some very effective moments that gore fans will love. This is amongst Greg Nicotero’s finest work to date, and he even gives a fine cameo as an undead doctor. The cinematography by Adam Swica (who worked with Romero on BRUISER) is a standout, making perfect use of its handheld style but makes it all his own. Unlike CLOVERFIELD, where moments truly felt like a soundstage, everything here looks natural, with excellent use of locations, particularly in the film’s final act at a mansion where the group stays with an actor who opted to leave them in the beginning of the film. It is here where Romero really has fun, and brilliantly uses security cameras in a way that the old Universal monsters would be proud. In all, DIARY OF THE DEAD is a welcome return to form for George A. Romero, a scathing look at the world’s obsession with communication and a breakdown of what happens when the truth is manipulated. I don’t feel it’s the fifth film of a series but more of a stand alone film that deserves its own place amongst the classic films Romero has made in this series. It shows that at the age of 67, Romero knows more about the plight and emotions of the twentysomething group better than most filmmakers half his age. Welcome back Mr. Romero. DIARY OF THE DEAD: 9 Out Of 10 Maggots
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