Day of the Dead (2008)

The 2008 film “Day of the Dead” is not a part of the George A Romero canon but is heavily influenced by his version that he made in 1985. Both films focus on military personnel and the doctors/scientists who are working on finding a cure or cause of the zombie outbreak. Several characters even share the same names in both films, although the personalities are not the same. The concept that a zombie might retain some of its human personality is also explored. This updated version of these concepts results in an entertaining zombie movie that deserves a chance. It stars Mena Suvari who is great in the role of Corporal Sarah Cross, who happens to be from the town that is experiencing the zombie outbreak. It also stars Ving Rhames who plays Captain Rhodes, one of the characters in the 1985 version. This film was written by Jeffrey Reddick who is best known as writing the complete "Final Destination" series.

There is a flu-like epidemic affecting the residents of Leadville, Colorado. The military arrives and blockades all ways in or out of the small town. Corporal Sarah Cross takes Private Bud with her as she checks in on her mom. Her mom is sick and so she takes her and her younger brother Trevor and his girlfriend Nina with them. At the hospital, Sarah and Bud find that the ER is full of people suffering from the epidemic. Suddenly, they start dying and then moments later the dead residents come back to life and attack the living. The hospital becomes a chaotic scene and Sarah and Bud barely escape while Trevor and Nina end up finding safety in the town’s radio station. The film focuses on Sarah and Trevor and those with them as they try to stay alive and escape from the mobs of super-fast, strong, vicious zombies.

Zombie Captain Rhodes, pulling out his eye only to eat it moments later.

Corporal Sarah Cross and Captain Rhodes inspect the hospital.