Dawn of the Dead

This remake of George Romero's 1979 cult classic follows a group of people who barricade themselves in a small-town shopping mall after millions of flesh-eating zombies take over the world in little more than a day. The exact cause of this armageddon is never explained, leaving both the characters and the audience bewildered and unsettled.

Writer James Gunn doesn't waste any time in getting to the action, and his suspenseful script is peppered with snappy dialogue. Yet, the isolated survivors seem a little too accepting of the tragedy that has arisen around them, as they try and kill time before coming up with an escape plan. It is also puzzling that aside from one little girl in the opening sequence, children are nowhere to be seen. Though Gunn has found his creative niche, he should stick to straightforward horror and avoid comedic films like his deplorable Scooby-Doo.

Zack Snyder makes his directorial debut, filling the screen with just the right amount of mayhem and gore. Every scene is sophisticated and stylish, and the well-chosen soundtrack adds an element of irony to the proceedings. With no superstars to carry his film, the ensemble of largely unfamiliar faces adds to the story's credibility.

The prolific Sarah Polley, best known for her work in t.v.'s "Road to Avonlea", gives a solid performance, conveying both horror and sadness at the chaos around her. Fans of Ving Rhames will be disappointed, as his underdeveloped character exists only to blow the heads off ravenous corpses. Jake Weber as Michael stands out among the group, shaping his role with a compelling poignancy. Shot at Thornhill Square Mall north of Toronto, it comes as no surprise that several Canadians appear in supporting roles.

But surprises are difficult to find as the story progresses. While Dawn of the Dead is creepy and will set your heart racing, it is never really terrifying. One expects the creatures to do the unexpected but, for the most part, they wander in mindless circles. Consequently, so does the film, which offers an interesting premise but lacks depth and shock value. However, in this age of bio-terrorism, the plot is not entirely implausible... Rating: 7 out of 10.