In
a popular culture where Vampires, Werewolves and other movie monsters
are rife there is one creature that shuffles along, and no matter how
many bullets, hatchets, and other weapons spray their brains it just
keeps coming. That monster is the Zombie, and recently has received a
healthy revival with the help of comic books, video games, television
shows and of course horror films.
Even
as other popular monsters come and go, the zombie has remained in the
public consciousness; partly because the formula constantly changes,
but unlike the werewolf, mummy or vampire the zombie reflects
societies fear, paranoia and fascination with death and destruction.
No matter what era they appear, the zombie is always relevant to the
time which it exists. To celebrate the release of World War Z, I
take a look at the some of the best moments in the zombie genre (In
no particular order). So tool up, aim for the head and try not to get
bitten. Its going to get bloody.
Braindead
(1992) – Lawnmower Party
Before
Peter Jackson wandered off to Middle Earth, he was a master of gore
and all things bloody. With this his third low budget feature, he
combined slap stick, gore and bizarrely satire on the English
Monarch. Through all the hacking and blood spurts comes the cherry on
the cake; during
the bloody climax our hero Lionel bursts into his home with a
lawnmower raised, slaying the zombie horde. Arms are hacked, blood
gushes while incredibly stomach churning, it is shot with humour and
warmth and has enough running gags to settle the most volatile of stomachs. Best viewed with beer, pizza and good friends.
28
Weeks Later (2007) – Cottage Attack.
Danny
Boyle's successful and brutal vision of an infected London was always
going to be a tough act to follow, thankfully this sequel has enough
brains, tension and scares to elevate it above most horror sequels.
Crammed into an idyllic country cottage, we see in low light how
survivors plan for a meal. But when a scared boy happens upon the
house, panic and horror soon follows. Shot hand held, with a
minimalist score and an unrelenting, heart in the mouth intensity we
see in a short few minutes how things can change from tense, to
horrifying brutality. A superb opening to an underrated sequel. Film
Fact: Danny Boyle was an uncredited second unit director on the film.
Dawn
of the Dead (1978) – Tower Block Attack
George
Romero's sequel to his 1968 cult classic Night of The Living Dead, is
cited by many a horror fan as a masterpiece in the horror genre.
There are many great moments to choose from; a machete waving Tom
Savini, to Hells Angels Zombie slayers each scene is packed full of
fan favourites. For my money its the S.W.A.T. Attack on an infested
tower block. Called to an overrun block of flats, our 'heroes' must
fight through hundreds of walkers to free the residents. Juxtaposed
against a panic ridden television studio,the two images placed side
by side perfectly captures the pandemonium of a crisis, from both
view points.
Shaun
of The Dead (2004) - Trip to the Shop
Proving
how adaptable the Zombie genre is, the comedy team behind 'Spaced'
made the worlds first Rom-Zom-Com. With a film that balances scares,
drama and wicked humour the stand out scene in a film full of great
moments is Shaun's trip to the shop. A hungover Shaun wanders to the
his corner shop, oblivious of the undead shuffling around him. An
unbroken tracking shot that lasts three minutes covers Shaun's short
journey. Shaun stumbles to and fro, unaware of the apocalypse
happening around him.
The
Evil Dead (1981) – Tree Rape.
Notoriously
banned by the BBFC and shunned as a Video Nasty, The Evil Dead is one
of the most bizarre, controversial and thrilling films in the zombie
genre. Rife with images that have burned into the popular Zeitgeist;
a possessed Linda singing a nursery rhyme, to a terrified Ash waving
a chainsaw like a madman, but the money shot is the infamous tree
rape. Its still unnerving, brutal and unpleasant viewing; as the
vines and branches creep up Cheryl's legs she is unable to break
free. This surreal moment has established The Evil Dead as one of the
most talked about film scenes in the genre.
There you have it, some great Zombie moments. Sound off below to discuss some of your own favourite scenes, movies etc.
