Horror Master George A. Romero Reveals Veteran Zombie Lock in ‘Diary of the Dead’

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CHICAGO – Master horror filmmaker George A. Romero is back for the fifth installment of his “Dead” series as what began with 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead” has fast-forwarded to “Diary of the Dead”. This time, Romero takes on the modern soul deadening of staring at screens and includes the constant navel gazing of videotaping, computers and the instant playback that has become our lives.

“Diary of the Dead”. Photo credit: IMDb

When a disturbing local news footage leaks onto the Internet, the cast and crew of a bad student film are interrupted in the middle of their shoot with the report that the dead have come to life and are threatening the entire population of the world.

The student film director – Jason (Joshua Close) – sees this as an opportunity to document his fellow classmates’ escape and journey back to their Pennsylvania homes.

The world is indeed falling to the risen dead. These zombies desire human flesh and can only be killed by a clean head shot. While Jason and his gang are overrun at several points along the way, they soldier on and hope to reach asylum at a friend’s estate. All the while, they aspire to finish the film documentary that’s detailing the possible end of humankind.

“Diary of the Dead”. Photo credit: IMDb

There is sensational exhibition in Romero’s filming technique. It is all done through the point of view of Jason and his filmmaking crew.

Their obsession to record the process of futile escape becomes as borderline as the sheer madness going on around them. It also intensifies the creep factor by placing the audience along for the ride to feel the presence of the zombie threat and the unflinching shooting, slicing and dynamiting of an undead person’s head.

There is an obvious comparison to both Orson Welles’ “The War of the Worlds” prank – with the panicky populace chasing their tail – and the events of Sept. 11, 2001 where real threats plays out across the broadcast spectrum and encompass the modern computer screens, mobile phones and social Web sites.

Romero even tweaks himself at one point by having an announcer intone comparisons between the zombie threat and symbols of social commentary, which his films have been known for over the years.

“Diary of the Dead” writer and director George A. Romero. Photo credit: IMDb

This is serious stuff that’s done with serious élan from a young cast. Jason’s girlfriend, Debra (Michelle Morgan) (who becomes the narrator of the documentary), does an amazing job both criticizing the obsession and taking up the torch.

Romero also has character fun with his background from Pittsburgh and actually has a mute Amish farmer play a provocative role. In casting news readers from the film’s various broadcasts, he uses famous names from the horror tradition (i.e. Stephen King and Wes Craven, to name a few).

“Diary of the Dead” is a great film by a veteran raconteur. In pushing the zombie envelope, Romero makes a poignant statement on our selfish, fear-based society.

The students – obsessed with the picture rather than the reality – condemn themselves to the pool of slow suicide. By presuming the end of the world, he points out an ultimate and real peril: a society devolving within itself.

By PATRICK McDONALD Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com