JohnDoe
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The Walking Dead (2010) - Trailer Included
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Writer/Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Emma Bell, Michael Rooker, Norman Reedus, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callis, Steven Yuen, Iron E Singelton
“It absolutely blows my mind that zombies, which, for decades, was this subgenre of horror that appealed to a core group of geeks like me, has gotten so much mainstream acceptance in the last five years. All these years, all these decades, I was part of this little group of people with a very specialized interest, and suddenly this obscure thing has blossomed into grandmothers walking into Barnes and Noble and buying zombie books for their grandkids.” – Frank Darabont (Quote courtesy of www.time.com)
The zombie genre may have begun before 1968, but it’s George A Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead that seems to be the autopsied cadaver on which all others have dissected as inspiration. In recent years the stumbling undead have teethed dangerously close to gnawing off more than the public can handle, but thankfully there are those that refine the genre to its purest thrills. Based on the black and white graphic novel by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard, the AMC TV series The Walking Dead takes the established lore and injects it with enough dramatic substance to be labeled character driven.
“Being the old-school guy that I am, I wanted to tell a great tale that subscribed to [creator Robert] Kirkman's work and the original George Romero conception of this world. That's the world we're in.” – Frank Darabont (Quote courtesy of www.time.com)
Adhering to a bleak atmosphere without sacrificing the occasional laugh there is tense fun in the serious execution of the stories events. Trying not to get bogged down in semantics the plot moves with minimal exposition and assumes we know the rough chalk outline of what the genre dictates causing the mayhem. That the screenplay avoids the use of the word ‘Zombie” says a lot about the tone.
Currently airing Episode five of the first season, we have already met the core candidates for tragic demise. Small Georgia town deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) is the closest thing to a hero we have. Put into a coma just before the outbreak he awakens to discover the horror of civilization ravaged. Replaced with decaying, flesh craving monsters that were once like him, now his sole purpose is to find his wife and child.
While still unconscious Grimes’ best friend and trusted partner Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal), ends up leading a handful of survivors that include Grimes’ family into the vast mountain ranges outside of the city limits. Populated by average cross sections of society and the odd racist bigot with a blunt instrument attitude to violence that reminds us why no form of political leadership will ever solve the woes of the species.
Now the struggle to endure begins. Hit and run type missions to gather supplies draw members back to the dangers of the urban jungle, internal power plays and a downbeat fight for optimism all force compromise and conflict. The laws that once governed are dismissed and practical solutions react with egotistical desires and the message that we are always going to be our own worst enemy permeates as those who avoid being victims protect what is theirs.
Meet the crew who haven't been chewed!
John Doe says:
The armed search for supplies continues.
From a technical standpoint this is an impressive production. The gritty cinematography of David Tattersall (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, The Majestic) and the carved sound design manipulate responses well. That silence is dared to be a tool for suspense is refreshing. Hunter M Via’s, (The Mist, Sons of Anarchy) editing is not afraid to linger before cutting and the staging of the action scenes carries visceral heart beats. An epic car crash in the pilot episode hits with impact as multiple angles and moves track the accident.
“The Exorcist is amazing because it recognizes that silences can be as powerful as sound effects. I found that it's always been a bit of a struggle when dealing with sound to convince the sound guys that, yes, I am looking for silent stretches, I am looking for silences because that is part of the music of the film. And particularly nowadays, these fellas are always leaned upon to not have those silences.” – Frank Darabont (Quote courtesy of www.time.com)
Cutting through the enemy
The blood and guts FX merrily blast the extra oozing squirm in order to replicate carnage and provoke reaction. Brains fly, wounds weep and wretched torso ripped crawlers all compliment the frame. The landscape littered with severed limbs and untimely death, wafts the smell of decay in heavily infected areas.
Remaining loyal to the original text and only introducing peripheral characters to add dimension to the amalgamated aims of the story. The screenplay is concrete in its devotion to suspension of disbelief as realism comes from the characters and their mixed reactions to challenges. Every new encounter assumed a threat, every passing friend mourned and not forgotten. Humour comes from the paradox of freedom in a world of anarchy that is trying to stay breathing moment to moment.
Taking their roles to heart, the casting for the most part is spot on. Perhaps taking it a little too seriously at times, both Andrew Lincoln (Gangster No. 1) and Jon Bernthal (The Pacific, Ghostwriter) take a few episodes to find their respective place in the larger picture. Lincoln as Rick Grimes hangs onto a Dudley do-right persona longer than need be. Pug faced Bernthal exaggerates his tough guy playing leader of the pack. Not that either detracts substantially, rather just illicit unintentional sniggers at random.
Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori Grimes
Fast becoming a favourite is Steven Yeun (The Big Bang Theory) as the adventurous Glenn. His nervous quips and a reluctant ability to get the job done endearing him as a reverse side kick in the Big Trouble in Little China vein.
Michael Rooker goes to work.
For John Doe, any show that opens with the head being blown off an innards hungry preteen warrants a chance. It immediately sends a message that the creators aren’t afraid to follow thru on the heinous truth of what could happen in the doomsday scenario. Succeeding in the comic to screen gauntlet, this is worthy zombie fodder that could become addictive. If that happens, there are only two episodes remaining of Season 1 so the wait until next year’s 13 episode arc may cause Johnny to strip his arm to the bone with a rusty blade just to quell the Jones.
To read the complete Frank Darabont interview go to www.time.com
Here is the opening 5 minutes of the show that establishes tone.
A misleading trailer that uses music that isn't in the show, but gives you some cool shots of what happens early on.
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