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The scariest part ...

posted 8 years ago by leightoncollins
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Seen this a million times and the jump scares used to get me as a kid - the security zombie grabbing Stephen and the screwdriver zombie with Roger.

However, the more I've watched it and the older I get I'd say the scariest part of the whole dead franchise has to be the TV studio scene at the start of DotD.
I know that everyone has spoken at length how Romero has passed commentary on consumerism, racism, civil rights, distrust of military and government... But the chaos of the TV studio is truly the most terrifying part.

The TV is broadcasting at a stage where some are being evacuated to rescue stations, but also where some are still refusing to believe that the situation is even unfolding.

Facts and the 'expert' are being ignored in place of feelings and TV rating rhetoric - something that we are experiencing more and more today.

Professional and civil behaviour is crumbling fast and the chaos is unfolding rapidly, the policeman on the door walks away from his duty and abandons the station.

Ratings are still being pursued ahead of the well-being of the viewers. The producer is knowingly sending scores of people to their deaths at rescue stations overrun by the walking dead. All this to keep people tuned in to the station ahead of others.

Even our heroes are running out and stealing the helicopter from the network instead of helping others.

Zombies jumping out and grabbing you are scary as a kid, but it's the cracking of the thin veneer of civilization that is truly terrifying as an adult.

[–] TheColossalAvenger 8 years ago

Zombies jumping out and grabbing you are scary as a kid, but it's the cracking of the thin veneer of civilization that is truly terrifying as an adult.

This makes me think of the scene in Land of the Dead where they're at the place where all the people are hanging out enjoying themselves. Society and civility have fallen apart so bad throughout the years since the zombies first appeared that people are enjoying watching cats and dogs trapped in a cage with two zombies getting eaten and betting on which zombie "wins"....and then have no problem literally throwing people inside the ring at that. No problem, and in fact, have become so callous about it all they're cheering it on.

That was always the most unsettling scene for me in Land.