Review of Diary of the Dead (2007) by Marcial R — 22 Jan 2011

Sitting down to watch this film I had heard so much about, I was feeling pretty excited to finally get to see it. I am a huge fan of all of Romero's films, and zombie flicks in general. I had heard mixed feelings about Diary of the Dead but I was willing to decide for myself.

And after viewing the film I wonder if Romero is losing his touch. The movie itself was decent but it was not his best work. A major part of any movie is having likable characters that you want to see live.

Well not in Diary, the characters are for the most part complete idiots. Especially the main character Jason, who while holding the camera either asks stupid questions that make you both laugh or question how he has survived this long.

The other characters are not nearly as bad, but they can get annoying at times. But I have to say the zombies in the flick are no different than others. They still shamble slowly, though I would preferred to have seen some fast running zombies, I mean haven't we moved on from shambling? The film has a undertone about society involving internet media and how it can consume people and humanity in general.

This is proved in Romero's eyes by anyone who holds the camera to compulsively film the movie they get mad at Jason for making in the first place. While the film's message is a good one, it's so in your face the whole film, that it takes you out of the experience and wishes maybe instead of them worrying about getting everything on camera, that we could see more action and horror that Romero is known for.

But at least the effects are good. The way the zombies are taken care off range from classic gunshot wounds to the head to more unusual such as a crossbow or acid burning through the undead's skull.

..which is a fresh change. But all this can not save the film from being mediocre...not horrible, but its not the kind of film you will watch over and over. At most it's a movie you will watch once just to see what good old Romero is up to.

But I have to wonder....is he losing his touch? I hope not, lets hope that Romero can revive the genre he himself created in his next film. I for one would love to see the dead rise again...