Land of the Dead

6/10. Saw this Saturday afternoon at the Bubenberg up in Bern.

I can’t say that it didn’t meet my expectations, because by the time Land of the Dead finally opened here last week, my expectations were pretty low. But it was a disappointment. All the elements were present for what should have been an exciting and intelligent horror-adventure. I guess this time, George Romero wasn’t the right man for the job.

A major problem is that the movie is essentially a 93-minute third act. When it begins, Riley (Simon Baker) has already decided to give up the mercenary life and head north. Within minutes, the zombies initiate their assault on Fiddler’s Green. And a short time later, Cholo (John Leguizamo, giving the movie’s best performance) has his falling out with the villainous Kaufman (Dennis Hopper) and begins plotting his revenge. We’re never shown what is “normal” for these people and the world they inhabit, and so instead of an involving and affecting ride, we get simply a diverting and fitfully entertaining one.

A question about Simon Baker. Do we really need another Scott Speedman? Because frankly we’re having enough trouble keeping the one we’ve got busy.