Land of the Dead

Time: 1 Hour and 32 Minutes
Box Office: $20.4 M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: Land of the Dead 
2. Director & Producer: George Romero
3. Release Date: June 24, 2005
4. Film Genre: Drama, Horror, Suspense

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: While Riley is out on the job of collecting supplies, he notices that the characteristics of the zombies are quickly changing as if they are retaining knowledge of their past lives. Riley builds "Dead Reckoning", a vehicle that is loaded with guns, and all sorts of explosives to help him make his way around the post-apocalyptic town. Another important moment is when the fireworks within Dead Reckoning that normally distract the zombies, are jammed. The zombies then become aware of their presence and go after them all. Back at the town in which the workers are collecting goods for, live wealthy survivors. At a neighboring city, the less fortunate live behind electric fencing that is where the workers also stay. Hoping that he'd make it into the wealthy town, Cholo goes to confront his boss who denies him a spot. In anger, Cholo steals Dead Reckoning which leads to a war between both him and Riley. Riley then gets his vehicle back and drives back to the city to discover that everyone is dead and decides not to kill one zombie. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: The film uses establishing shots to show the zombies and how they are gradually changing, appearing to gain knowledge through out time. High angle shots are often used as well to show the amount of zombies that roam around the town. Close ups are used to show the horror a character feels when encountering a zombie. It also helps to show the very gruesome parts such as a character being eaten which is effective in frightening the audience. Low key lighting is used throughout and flashlight lighting is used in replacement to make the scene more suspenseful. It makes the viewer uncomfortable with the small amount of light and very unsure on what will happen next. The music adds to the suspense and makes the zombie attack scenes much more intense. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is depressing and unsettling. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is suspenseful, gory and horrifying.

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The eerie sounds used in the film provide a chilling sensation when the viewer knows that something bad is about to happen. At times, the sounds go completely silent, followed by loud and creepy music that makes the audience jump. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities presented in the film are music, dramatizations, background noise, black and white, and color. Black and white is used in the beginning to show the television broadcast about the infected  and later color is used to show the present tense of the town. 

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message of the film is that we live in times in which the wealthy are seen as more superior than those who are not as wealthy. 

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film sends this message by showing how the two different ranks are separated, one within a well protected town and the other in a vulnerable city.

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? The filmmakers probably wanted the audience to feel anger towards Kauffman and the wealthy for being selfish and not wanting to help out those who aren't as wealthy.  They also probably wanted the audience to feel sorry for those living outside the town on the city streets. 

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film does appeal to the viewer's emotion. It made me feel irritated with the wealthy and sympathy for those living on the city streets. 

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: What made the surviving zombie smarter than the rest?

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would recommend this movie to my friends. 

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film a P because it was pretty interesting.