I personally feel that MArtin is Romero's third best film behind only Dawn and Night. I didn't really mind the deliberate pacing of this film because it seemed essential to the message that the film was trying to convey (ie sexual insecurity juxtaposed against a dying steel town). The one area of the film that I did find to be a little weak was the shootout sequence. It just really didn't feel as if it was in keeping with the tone of the rest of the film. It injected a faster pace into the climactic moments of the film, but I just didn't feel that it was in character with what we had come to expect from Martin's actions.
Although I hesitate to debate the merits of Land of the Dead here, I just can't resist. I freely admit that it was inferior to the original trilogy in every technical way. That does not mean, however, that it is fair to trash the film. When compared to the other zombie films of its era(Dawn of the Dead remake, 28 Days Later, Resident Evil, etc.) it is head and shoulders above that derivative garbage. I didn't like all of George's choices in Land myself, but he is the father of the genre and has been making these films for 40 years. If he feels that he wants to try something new, either to remain relevant or to keep himself interested in making more zombie films, then I say he has earned the right. Moreover, anyone who knows how hard he worked to find a way to make Land and how close he came to never getting to do it at all should just be thankful that we got another zombie film from the maestro.
At this point, it would appear that he went the low budget route with Diary of the Dead, and I have heard mixed things about it. I am hoping for the best, and can't wait to see it. George is great on so many levels. He is clearly a visionary film maker who would rather do things his way than cash in for studio credibility. Admittedly, some of his films were a little too ambitious for the means that he had at his disposal to make them, but he deserves credit for not taking the easy road, and for making so many masterpieces. Not to mention, when you hear the guy talk, he is just an excited horror film fan. He sees the whole thing about the way that we do, and talent aside, he is just like any one of us would be if offered the opportunity to make a film of our own. I say good for him.
reply
share