Over the past few years the zombie film has made a huge comeback since the godfather of zombies George Romero bought them to life with Night of the Living Dead and it’s follow up Dawn of the Dead in 1978. In the eighties the zombie films of that time took a back seat to the slasher flicks, and some didn’t get the recognition they deserved. In the nineties the zombie film was almost nonexistent. Then, at the turn of the century, the zombie film came back with a bang. The video game Resident Evil, spawned a film, Danny Boyle 28 Days Later, and even a remake of Dawn of the Dead lead the way for the rise of the zombies. Even George Romero returned to the zombie genre with three new Dead films. Books such as Brian Keene’s The Rising, Max Brooks World War Z and the graphic novel, which I’m reviewing here, that inspired the first, great zombie mini-series; The Walking Dead. All have established the zombie sub-genre as one that looks like it’s going to be around for a while.
The Walking Dead, based on the graphic novel by Robert Kirkman (along with artists Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard), is about a group of people from around the Atlanta, Georgia area that are trying their best to survive a zombie apocalypse. The series starts off with Sheriff Rick Grimes waking up in a hospital after being shot by a man he was chasing on the job. However, he has awakened to a nightmare; outside the dead have come back to life and are hunting the living. While trying to make sense of it all he makes his way home to discover that his wife and son are gone. He then meets up with a man and his son that tells him what happened while he was in a coma. The three decide to regroup and head to the sheriff department to load up on ammo and guns. Rick goes his own way, while the man and his son go theirs. Rick soon finds himself trapped in a tank in Atlanta, but is helped out by group of people who have set up camp in the mountains outside the city. When he arrives there; he finds his family.. As the dead attack one night, the remaining members of the group are forced to find another place to go in order to survive the chaos spreading throughout the world.
Where does one begin to describe how great of a series The Walking Dead is? Not since George Romero gave us his dead trilogy has a zombie story looked so well translated to film. In fact, I’ll even go on record as saying that I enjoyed this series more than I did some of George’s dead films. The story is based on the graphic novel and although I never read it, I was told that the majority of the main plot is there, with a few minor changes to make it work as a series. The story is great, that’s all I have to say about it. It’s a lot of fun and everything one would expect in a post-apocalyptic zombie film.
The series has a great cast which includes Andrew Lincoln in the lead role as Sheriff Rick Grimes, Jon Bernthal as his partner Shane Walsh, and Sarah Wayne Callies as Rick’s wife Lori. The rest of the cast includes actors such as Laurie Holden, Emma Bell, Norman Reddis, Jeffrey DeMunn, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, IronE Singleton and Melissa Suzanne McBride. There are also appearances by Michael Rooker and Noah Emmerich.
The Two Disc Blu-ray set has a ton of special features which include the Making of the Walking Dead, Inside “The Walking Dead”: Episodes 1-6, A Sneak Peek with Robert Kirkman, Behind the Scenes Zombie Make-up Tips, Convention Panel with Producers and The Walking Dead trailer. There is also and Extra Footage feature which includes such things as Zombie School, Bicycle Girl, On the set with Robert Kirkman, Hnaging with Steven Yeun, Inside Dale’s RV and on set with Andrew Lincoln.
The Walking Dead Blu-ray is a must have for zombie fans. You cannot call yourself a fan of zombies films, much less a horror fan, unless you have seen the series on AMC. If you don’t get AMC, at least get a copy of the Blu-ray or DVD as soon as you possibility can. This is the most impressive zombie story you will ever watch. The production value is top notch, the acting and directing is perfect and the make-up and the visuals are the best you will ever see in a zombie film. This is a must own for every fan of zombies films. It is a must own for horror fans. Go and do yourself a favor and buy The Walking Dead on Blu-ray and DVD. You won’t regret it. Also, be prepared as the series will return in the fall of 2011 with all brand new episodes.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
