Night of the Living Dead – 1990 – Horror, Thriller
Directed by: Tom Savini
Written by: George A. Romero
Main Players: Tony Todd; Patricia Tallman; Tom Towles; McKee Anderson; Bill Moseley
This remake presents the same story as the original with some updated practical effects from the early 90s. It is pretty much the same story overall, and is not bad. While Romero did not direct this one, he re-wrote the script of the first one (which he was co-writer on).
They are coming to get you Barbara… The poor girl is teased by her brother Johnnie (Moseley) while they drive to visit their mother’s grave. He is upset that it is the 4th time he has been there since she died 3 months ago. Despite how rough mom was, he is a real gem.
His torment continues as a man with a head wound stumbles by apologizing. Then, a full-fledged face-falling-off zombie hits the scene and the plot goes off in the anticipated way for those who have seen the original. Johnnie is no loss, but can Barbara (Tallman) survive the horde?! Maybe if she stops shrieking and picks up that fire poker…
This remake is short and sweet, just like the first one was. The shift in time to the 90s does not affect the story negatively and there is plenty of good zombie action. If you enjoyed the 60s version, this one should still work for you also. I would say the original still creeps me out more, but there are some good effects in this one.
There is an “uncensored” cut of this film also, which plays in black and white, like the original. I don’t think it differs much cut wise, and likely includes a tad more violence.
See This If You Liked:
Night of the Living Dead (1968); Dawn of the Dead (1978; 2004); Day of the Dead (1985); Land of the Dead; 28 Days Later; [REC]; World War Z; Train to Busan (Busanhaeng); The Crazies (1973; 2010); The Return of the Living Dead; Resident Evil (2002); The Evil Dead
Score:
7.0