Romero fans have surely had a time of late.  After a crazy, long wait we were given Land of the Dead, but a lot of us were left a little disappointed by all the Hollywoodery that was thrown into the mix.  That's so not my Uncle George.  Admittedly, though, subsequent viewings won it a place in my heart.  I highly recommend the uncut version for all the yummy zombie gore.  

Then there was Diary of the Dead.  I've seen it since, as well, and do like it better than the first go around but I still have a bit of "grrrr" going on when I think of it. In my humble opinion, there was too little zombie action and too much with the Internet hit counts.  But you know where I'm coming from, so I'll move on.  

The latest entry from Papa Bear (as Bo fondly refers to him) is Survival of the Dead.  This film has been given some knocks from horror fans but I really just don't get it.  For the first time since the original trilogy, I feel that we are getting more of the Romero we fell in love with all those years ago.  His humor is back full-force, as is his love of the zombies running amok.  How can that be bad?

The narrative might be lacking in parts, but it's so trivial I just didn't care.  I was so happy to have zombie mailmen and fun characters to love that I'll gladly give it a pass.  One thing I am referring to here is the fact that for the first time, we are given a hard date.  This flick picks up six days after the outbreak and on the heels of Diary.  My problem with this is that it hasn't really been long enough for things to fall completely apart, but the characters have a sort of "meh" attitude toward the advancing hordes of revenants that are coming to dinner.  That gives me pause.  I wish it had taken place more along the lines of Day.  Then I would have been better able to stomach the fact that it all seemed so "every day" to them.  But who am I to nitpick about that when Unc gave me such a damn good time?  And for those who look for a little satire in your zombie movies, never fear.  It's there, but I am happy to announce it's much more subtle than Diary.  My head was sore from getting hit with "the message" during that one.  This one goes down as smooth as sugar water.  So for those who don't wish to think too hard, you don't have to.  Just enjoy the gnoshing and the clever quips.  There are plenty of both.

zombie mailmen and fun characters to love that I'll gladly give it a pass.  One thing I am referring to here is the fact that for the first time, we are given a hard date.  This flick picks up six days after the outbreak and on the heels of Diary.  My problem with this is that it hasn't really been long enough for things to fall completely apart, but the characters have a sort of "meh" attitude toward the advancing hordes of revenants that are coming to dinner.  That gives me pause.  I wish it had taken place more along the lines of Day.  Then I would have been better able to stomach the fact that it all seemed so "every day" to them.  But who am I to nitpick about that when Unc gave me such a damn good time?  And for those who look for a little satire in your zombie movies, never fear.  It's there, but I am happy to announce it's much more subtle than Diary.  My head was sore from getting hit with "the message" during that one.  This one goes down as smooth as sugar water.  So for those who don't wish to think too hard, you don't have to.  Just enjoy the gnoshing and the clever quips.  There are plenty of both.

As per usual, it's difficult to determine whether I prefer the zombie eat-outs or the colorful characters that we find within any of Romero's work.  Here, the characters are PURE George and I love them for it.  My favorite is Patrick O'Flynn, a cantankerous old Irish fellow played to the bone by Kenneth Welsh.  I haven't loved anyone that much since the hilarious Amish farmer of Diary.  Okay, that wasn't so terribly long ago but long enough considering he was the only character I gave a hoot for in that flick and he was in it for a sum total of about 3.6 seconds.  I also must mention Alan Van Sprang in his reprised role from Diary.  You should recognize him from Land as Brubaker if you pay attention at all.   
 

As per usual, it's difficult to determine whether I prefer the zombie eat-outs or the colorful characters that we find within any of Romero's work.  Here, the characters are PURE George and I love them for it.  My favorite is Patrick O'Flynn, a cantankerous old Irish fellow played to the bone by Kenneth Welsh.  I haven't loved anyone that much since the hilarious Amish farmer of Diary.  Okay, that wasn't so terribly long ago but long enough considering he was the only character I gave a hoot for in that flick and he was in it for a sum total of about 3.6 seconds.  I also must mention Alan Van Sprang in his reprised role from Diary.  You should recognize him from Land as Brubaker if you pay attention at all.   

On the visual tip, Survival is obviously of the lower budgeted persuasion, but I have no complaints.  It only seems right to have a Romero zombie movie be low budget.  I mean Land was beautiful to look at but it felt hollow.  Survival is full of heart and it shows.  I laughed through the whole thing (when I was supposed to) and he even got me a few times with some good scares.  Those are rare for me so I always respect anyone who can pull it off.  The digital effects were dodgy at times but again, it felt fresh and fun.  I don't know how much I believe a chick would still be riding a horse with one foot in the grave but, dammit, it looked good so I'll take it.
 

thing (when I was supposed to) and he even got me a few times with some good scares.  Those are rare for me so I always respect anyone who can pull it off.  The digital effects were dodgy at times but again, it felt fresh and fun.  I don't know how much I believe a chick would still be riding a horse with one foot in the grave but, dammit, it looked good so I'll take it.
 

My final thoughts?  I loved it.  I had a great time and just can't see how any Romero fan would complain.  To me it's the closest thing we've had to the original trilogy since Day scared the crap out of me at the drive-in.  As far as I'm concerned, it's welcome back, Uncle George.  You can keep doing this forever if you wish.  And if anyone gives you flack, you tell 'em to see Maven.  I'll set 'em straight.