Day of the Dead (1985)

4 Stars (out of 4)

Underground Movie

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

In this third part of George A. Romero's zombie trilogy (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, etc.), more zombies roam the earth, and humans now live as part of a military installation in an underground bunker. A scientists capture a zombie, name it "Bub" and try to jog its human memories by giving it a Walkman and teaching it to shave. Darker and more contained than the first two, as well as more anxious (with lots of shouting and arguing), the movie furiously emphasizes the dividing line between man's dual, dueling natures: violence and rational thought. This is one film that deserves a second look. (It is reportedly the director's personal favorite.)

Day of the Dead was released in the summer of 1985, but the spoof The Return of the Living Dead did much better business just weeks later. Now a fantastic two-disc DVD set from Anchor Bay gives the movie its proper due. It features two commentary tracks -- one by Romero and his crew and one by Rules of Attraction director Roger Avary -- and much more.