Land of the Dead (2005) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - June 24, 2005

That Eli Roth quote comparing the release of a new George A. Romero zombie film being something akin to the release of a new Star Wars film (in the year 2005, at least) was not all that far off the mark. Well, at least for me.

I took a vacation day just so I could see the very first matinee screening of Land of the Dead on its opening day, because I was really that excited about it. When the movie ended, I contemplated staying at the theatre and getting a ticket for the next showing. I kind of regret not doing so, but I had to get home and write a review for a now defunct webpage. So it goes.

Oh, and there was the whole needing to pick up my kid from school thing.

Reaction to the film was mixed, or course. I remember one message board comment describing the film as having a first and third act that were in dire need of a second. Something that might have to do with Simon Baker's character of Riley Denbo feeling a tad thin and underdeveloped when compared to the more colorful and more energetic characters that surround him.

The true standouts are John Leguizamo's Cholo, Asia Argento's Slack, Dennis Hooper's Kaufman, and Eugene Clark's Big Daddy. I also like the satirical flourish of having Big Daddy being surrounded by a zombie crew of this own.

While it may not have been the thunderous and energetic achievement I had hoped for, I still think it is makes for a solid entry. One that that showed Romero still had the vision and the creative ability to make something interesting and entertaining.