Day of the Dead (18)

Day of the Dead is the third film in George Romero's zombie quadrilogy. Zombies have overrun the world and a group of soldiers and scientists are hiding in a bunker, unaware of whether or not they are the last humans alive as all communication has been cut off.

The scientists, led by the Frankenstein-esque Dr. Logan, are conducting experiments on zombies to see if they can either control them or cure zombieism. The soldiers are unhappy about risking their lives on a daily basis to keep the scientists stocked with zombies and just want to kill them. There's an extreme clash of ideals as the scientists just want to research and have no concept of the fact that their studies are of no benefit to anyone whereas the soldiers are uncivilsed and unruly - the only difference between them and the instinct-driven zombies is their organs still function normally.

In between the two are 2 civilians who control the helicopter which is the only potential means of escape who are trying to remain civilised and keep their humanity in the face of all the horror around them.

When fights break out between the camps and the zombies get loose, the result is chaotic and horrific.

This is an interesting, intelligent and extremely gruesome film. It explores ideas about instinct and savagery and society. Romero, besides making a really really gory film - you see heads ripped off, guts torn out, bodies ripped in two, zombies happily fighting over intestines, arms, legs, etc - has managed to make an intriguing statement about what it is that separates man from beast, suggesting that in the end the only thing between us and utter savagery is the ability to ignore our instincts and treat each other with compassion.

On the downside, the dialogue in this is fairly laughable, it verges on Attack of the Clones bad. But it does lighten the mood.