With zombie films dropping into theaters like flies these days, it would seem logical to go back and visit an old classic.  Sure, nowadays, zombie flicks are slick and full of great visuals.  Though, this one will make you remember what a living dead movie should be: gritty and unimpressive (though, strangely enough, that's meant in a very good way).

A filthy, damaged boat arrives one day upon a New York City harbor.  Upon investigation, a corpse-like being (a great looking work of graphic gore art, as are all zombies in the film) springs out of the back, attacking two officers.  The corpse eventually manages to walk off the side of the boat, sinking into the water.  The story breaks out and soon a news reporter and a missing scientist's daughter are lead to an island to investigate the strange, voodoo-esque stories.

What transpires is one of the best gory pictures of all time.

One thing I know a lot of is that zombie fantatics seem to dig "Zombi 2" (a.k.a. "Zombie") because the living dead really look well done.  You can tell a lot of time went into making these creatures look absolutely horrifying with puss and blood pouring out of every wound along with ghastly cuts and deep gashes.  And while I still think the original "Dawn of the Dead" is the best zombie flick, it is very easy to see why this one is the preferred choice for most living dead aficionados.

Where the problem occurs is some of the acting.  Sure, "Dawn" doesn't have Oscar-worthy preformances either, but at least with that one you don't really think you're watching a soap opera once in a while.  Not to mention Ian McCulloch just doesn't come off as your typical adventure hero... though perhaps that is a complement to this film's independent nature.

Either way you look at it, this is defiantly one of the best (to some THE best) zombie films ever made, and certainly Lucio Fulci's masterpiece.  Not to mention, the greatest...

...ending...

...EVER!

Movie: ***1/2 out of ****

DVD Extras: ***1/2 out of ****

The first disk is basically the same as the DVD print put out in 1998 with a funny commentary from McCulloch, where he reminisces about the filming (especially a hillarious recounting of the highly illegal filming on the Brooklyn Bridge).  The brand new extra, on the second disk, is a great 75 minute documentary on the making of the film.  Fantastic!  Finally, the package includes a poster with a very real-looking Lucio Fulci autographed poster -- fool your friends!  

It's funny how George A. Romero has never seen this one :p

Which release was this? The Blue Underground or the Shriek Show? Cause they've both put out 25th Anniversary versions.

This is the Shriek release- the Blue Underground release has less extras than the 1998 Anchor Bay disk.

Ouch. All it had was a commentary and some trailers. Definately have to go with the Shriek Show version, despite their somewhat questionable track record.

Hi all! New to the forum. I just got the 2-disc SS version, and although it looks better than the old Anchor bay, It doesn't look anywhere near as good as I hoped. The reviews I read of the Blue Underground disc, said it looked amazing. Even though both companies had access to the same print, they were responsible for their own authoring, so there could very well be a difference in picture quality. Anyone seen both to compare them? Does the BU version look better?

While I could certainly appreciate a better picture (you're right, the Anchor Bay release is truly awful), it is always the extras that will sway my wallet.  Also, the Shriek release has Italian audio with English subtitles, which, in my opinion, makes the film much easier to watch and understand.  Whether the Blue Underground disk has this or not, I am not sure.

This is a great Zombie movie, dare I say... the best?  It's campy at times, loaded with Fulci questionable material like -- The shark/Zombie fight... The gross eyeball scene... some girl swiming for way way way to much on screen time

But you know what?  What would this world be like without such a talented director and such an incredible eye for horror?  Romero who?  That's what I say.

Anyone who likes zombies, pick this version up, you won't be sorry.  Also, LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE is another great little zombie flick.

P.S. The SHREK SHOW version is much much better than my friends BLUE version.

Just picked this up (dug through a stack of DVDs at the electronics store that hadn't been put out yet, found it at the bottom). Truly amazing DVD version of a truly amazing zombie flick. Without question one of my favorite zombie movies.

Yeah it's fantastic!  I love the extras on disc 2, you really get a feel for how everything went down.  

I think the most shocking thing to me about the entire process was the ZOMBIES themselves... "potters clay"  who'd have thunk it?  Well, Fulci and the rest of the crew that's who.  To this day, i've never seen a better looking ZOMBIE.

Also, the shark scene with the zombie, my mind was laid to rest on this issue when veiwing the incredible extras.  I knew Fulci wouldn't have stooped to such cheese ball tactics.  The scene was actually shot and filmed after the movie had wraped, then inserted later.

ZOMBI is... a dream come true.  Even in light of me getting the 4 disc dawn of the dead set today.  ZOMBI is better.

J.D.

Watched this last night. My only complaint is that they changed the shotgun sound. It sounds too realistic now, where's the big loud KABOOM! they used to have? Other than that, perect. The picture is incredibly sharp compared to the Anchor Bay copy I have.