Day of the Dead (George A. Romero, 1985)

Dawn of the Dead is arguably the best horror movie ever, and pretty much the best zombie movie ever (even the 2004 remake is pretty damn good). So even though 1985's Day of the Dead, with its bleak world view and claustrophobic feel, is a good movie, it doesn't stand a chance next to its predecessor. Set a few years (I think) after DotD, it involves some of the only survivors of the zombie plague. Instead of hiding in a mall, they are now in an underground bunker, and divided into three strict groups: military, scientists who want to study the zombies, and civilians who want nothing more than to live out their last days happily. They are living underground, in a bunker where they both hide from the zombies, and trap some so Dr. Frankenstein (as he's called) can do experiments on them. The doctor has a pet, Bub, who is a really likeable zombie who can talk (sort of), recognize everyday objects, and have enough emotions to become attached to the doctor. Bub is really the best part of the movie, and when he salutes in his final scene, you want to cheer. Romero again is making a statement on human nature, and how we are our own worst enemies, even when faces with the undead. There's fighting within the groups, which turns, inevitably, to violence and bloodshed. In the end, the heroine Sarah and her colleagues are running as much from the military as they are from the zombies. The movie is tense and angry until the zombies inevitably get into the compound, and when they do, there's a lot of really great and unique gore. The social commentary doesn't work as well as in Dawn, but for a likeable zombie hero and some better than average gore, you can't go wrong with Romero. 7/10 RIYL: The Dead series (many elements that were supposed to be in Day appear and are expanded upon in 2005's Land of the Dead)

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