Zack Snyder’s ‘Dawn of the Dead’ Still Slays [4K Review]
Most horror fans will admit to feeling anything but genuine excitement when it was announced a no-name director would be helming a remake of George A. Romero’s beloved Dawn of the Dead (1978). And with a script written by the guy who did Scooby-Doo (2002) no less. A true travesty in the making, or so it seemed. But then that “no name director” turned out to be Zack Snyder. Whatever you feel about his films there’s no denying he has talent and vision behind the camera. The “Scooby-Doo guy” (who I knew as the Tromeo & Juliet (1997) guy) was James Gunn, now one of the most in-demand directors in Hollywood.
Suffice it to say, Dawn of the Dead was in better hands than we knew. It wasn’t the opening weekend screenings that shut up naysayers, though. The USA network showed the opening ten minutes of the movie on television prior to release, which I can recall watching with a “let’s see how bad this looks” mindset. I changed my tune immediately after. Nearly 20 years on Snyder’s version stands as a reminder of the best way to remake a film: honor the original but make it your own.
Instead of the intimate foursome Romero gave audiences Snyder balances a large cast that includes nearly a dozen characters. Just about everyone gets development, too, though arguably Ana (Sarah Polley) is the primary focus since her opening scenes bring us into this world. Polley is fantastic, playing a nurse whose husband is zombified early on. She’s more than a capable pair of hands, too, matching aggression with the guys and always using logic.
Ving Rhames is the surrogate Ken Foree—not just because he’s a Black cop but because he’s the calm, cool collected cat that keeps his head on straight. I’ve always had an appreciation for how Gunn wrote Michael (Jake Weber) because he’s just an everyday guy (who sells TVs at Best Buy). He isn’t a wannabe action hero or a genius who can solve every problem. He’s just a dude doing the best he can to help people survive.
There’s a lot of supporting cast and surprisingly the film finds time to give most of them some semblance of humanity. I could have done without Mekhi Phifer’s street thug Andre and his pregnant wife, Luda (Inna Korobkina). That bit of story seems like it only exists to remind viewers even in apocalyptic situations people can still be shitty. But then we all know that now, right? C.J. (Michael Kelly) gets the best arc out of the entire cast and is my personal favorite. He starts off as a prick, and he isn’t exactly wrong either, but once he comes around his usefulness is key to everyone’s survival.
Another positive change: fast zombies. When it comes to the debate between fast and slow my answer is: what works best for the film? In Snyder’s white-hot, adrenaline-fueled Dawn of the Dead, having zombies simply shamble around wouldn’t do. Plus, with all the slo-mo that guy loves to use the movie would’ve been seven hours. The speed and aggression of the zombies ratchets up the tension and makes even a brief jaunt outside the mall walls uncertain and volatile.
Kudos for using some of the O.G. cast and crew in cameos, all of which work organically within the story and don’t feel forced. It’s also fun trying to spot all of the deep cuts like the Gaylen Ross clothing store, Wooly’s Diner, and the BP trucks being driven by some survivors.
Scream Factory did a 4K scan of the original camera negative, with a 2K digital intermediate being used for the director’s cut scenes (which are very minimal). The 2.35:1 2160p picture is sizzling hot – both in terms of style and colors. The added boost of HDR helps crank extra depth out of the image, with colors practically bleeding off the screen. Outdoor scenes made me feel like I was the one sitting in the sweltering, oppressive heat. Snyder’s films have a distinct visual flair and this 4K disc capably captures that aesthetic. The extra resolution of 4K allows for textures on skin and surfaces to be that much more evident and defined. This is a gorgeous piece of filmmaking.
Likewise, even though the audio doesn’t get a bump up to Atmos the English DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround soundtrack is no slouch. It’s direct, present, and in your face. It does sound like effects and Tyler Bates’ energetic score dominates the sound field to the detriment of dialogue at times. The opening credits with Johnny Cash’s “When the Man Comes Around” blaring are just fantastic. Subtitles are available in English SDH.
DISC ONE: 4K
The only extra found here is an audio commentary with director Zack Snyder and producer Eric Newman.
DISC TWO: Director’s Cut Blu-ray
Snyder and Newman’s audio commentary is included here as well.
“Splitting Headaches: Anatomy of Exploding Heads” (SD, 5:36) is a behind the scenes look at… well, just guess.
“Attack of the Living Dead” (SD, 7:24) focuses on the stunt work required by some of the zombie horde.
“Raising the Dead” (SD, 7:54) is all about making up the zombies for their on-screen action.
“Andy’s Lost Tape” (SD, 16:22) offers backstory and a video diary of the gun shop owner.
“Special Report: Zombie Invasion” (SD, 21:05) provides mock news coverage as if the zombie apocalypse were real.
“Undead and Loving It: A Mockumentary” (SD, 5:09) pretends the film’s zombies aren’t actors but actual zombies hired by the production.
“Drawing the Dead” (SD, 2:48) looks at creating the film’s storyboards.
“Storyboard Comparisons” (SD, 5:51) looks at the scene concepts alongside final footage.
DISC THREE: Theatrical Cut Blu-ray
“Take a Chance on Me: An Interview with actor Ty Burrell” (SD, 15:28), I had the hardest time buying this guy as a sweet dad on Modern Family because this was where I saw him first act, playing an asshole.
“Gunn for Hire: An Interview with writer James Gunn” (SD, 9:26) is a solid piece about the film’s script development.
“Punk, Rock, & Zombie: An Interview with actor Jake Weber” (SD, 23:10).
“Killing Time at the Mall: The Special Effects of Dawn of the Dead – An Interview with Special Makeup Effects Artists David Anderson and Heather Langenkamp Anderson” (SD, 25:36). Yes, that Heather Langenkamp worked on the effects for this film. Kinda blew my mind.
Deleted scenes (SD, 11:30) with optional commentary by Snyder and Newman are available.
A theatrical trailer (HD, 2:34) and a photo gallery (HD, 8:12, 98 images) round out the extensive extras.
Special Features:
DISC ONE: 4K BLU-RAY – UNRATED CUT
- NEW 4K MASTER STRUCK FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (2022)
- Audio Commentary With Director Zach Snyder And Producer Eric Newman
- Optional English subtitles for the main feature
DISC TWO: BLU-RAY – UNRATED CUT
- NEW 4K MASTER STRUCK FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (2022)
- Audio Commentary With Director Zach Snyder And Producer Eric Newman
- Introduction To The Unrated Cut With Director Zach Snyder
- Splitting Headaches: Anatomy Of Exploding Heads
- Attack Of The Living Dead
- Raising The Dead
- Andy’s Lost Tape
- Special Report: Zombie Invasion
- Undead And Loving It: A Mockumentary
- Drawing The Dead Featurette
- Storyboard Comparisons
- Hidden Easter Egg
- Optional English subtitles for the main feature
DISC THREE: BLU-RAY – THEATRICAL CUT
- 2K MASTER STRUCK FROM AN INTERPOSITIVE
- Take A Chance On Me – An Interview With Actor Ty Burrell
- Gunn For Hire – An Interview With Writer James Gunn
- Punk, Rock, & Zombie – An Interview With Actor Jake Weber
- Killing Time At The Mall: The Special Effects Of Dawn Of The Dead – An Interview With Special Makeup Effects Artists David Anderson And Heather Langenkamp Anderson
- Deleted Scenes With Optional Commentary By Director Zach Snyder And Producer Eric Newman
- Theatrical Trailer
- Still Gallery
- Optional English subtitles for the main feature
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Dawn of the Dead (2004)
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Special Features
Summary
Zack Snyder’s version of Romero’s classic has always had a signature look and the wide gamut of color afforded by 4K with HDR makes this release look better than ever. Scream Factory made sure to include all bonus features, too, making the decision to upgrade an easy one if you love this film.
