‘Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection’ Review

Stars: Sarah Louise Madison, Sabrina Dickens, S.J. Evans, Rorie Stockton, Richard Goss, Sule Rimi, Kathy Saxondale, Johnathon Farrell | Written by James Plumb, Andrew Jones | Directed by James Plumb

In 2012,the deceased have risen from their graves with only one instinct-to feed on the living. Academics speculate on the scientific cause of the phenomena and theologians point to the Armageddon foretold in the Book of Revelation. But as the cities are over run and civilization crumbles, four generations of one family take refuge from the undead army in an isolated farmhouse in West Wales.

Based on the 1968 zombie classic, Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection is not a direct remake of George Romero’s original, instead it takes inspiration from the original movie, often playing with the audiences expectations and subverting the events that you would expect, given the trend of “remakes”, to take place.

Very much an amateur production, and I don’t mean that in any derogatory way, this film suffers somewhat due to it low-budget nature. The film has a decent script and there’s some flair in James Plumb’s direction but the film is let down by a cast that don’t bring the same gravitas and believability to their roles as Romero’s cast did in the original; and by the ridiculous over-use of a pseudo-violin synth that chimes up whenever Plumb wants to signify danger – it’s a poor storytelling choice that belies any skills Plumb has a director.

However despite any qualms I may have with the quality of this film, you have to respect both writer Andrew Jones and director James Plumb – the pair have not only managed to get this remake off the ground but also sequels to Silent Night, Bloody Night and House on the Edge of the Park; and after watching Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection I’m definitely interested in seeing what they do with both of those movies.

Whilst I wasn’t blown away by Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection, it was still littered with some fantastic moments of movie-making, such as the decision to kill the (expected) hero Ben early on and (and this is the real standout) scriptwriter Jones’ decision to update the rednecks of the original movie to a group of tracksuit wearing chavs who relate the entire situation to a real-life Call of Duty – taking pleasure in killing both the alive and the undead – as well as a group of wannabe soldiers; is inspired. Plus the final payoff? That’s just as downbeat (maybe even more so) as Romero’s original…

Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection is released on DVD on May 13th, courtesy of 4Digital Media.

*** 3/5