News culture “Failed and terrifying” too few people know the best film by Zack Snyder: this is the remake of a horror classic
Posted on 05/09/2025 at 21:18
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Often at the center of passionate debates, Zack Snyder has a varied filmography ranging from comics adaptations to science fiction films. However, his first feature film, a remake of a classic of horror, is considered to be his best work which was, moreover, his very first feature film.
-The army of the dead: a respected remake
Directed by Zack Snyder, The Army of the Dead (original title: Dawn of the Dead) aims to invigorate the zombie genre while respecting Zombie fans (1978) with an approach much more focused on action than the original. To distinguish itself from the work of G. Romero and add a feeling of emergency, Z. Snyder introduces the concept of fast zombies, explaining that it was his “way” to make them threatening, especially in hordes. The main cast includes Sarah Polley in the role of Ana, a nurse who escapes the apocalypse, twenty rhames in sergeant Kenneth Hall, and Jake Weber in Michael Shaunessy, a “Monsieur Tout-le-Monde”. Members of the original film, namely Scott Reiniger, Tom Savini and Ken Foree, appear in cameos.
When it was released, the film received a positive welcome, many criticisms considering it a remake worthy of interest and an excellent return of its kind. It is even deemed higher than the original in terms of playing actors and frightening scenes. Roger Ebert stressed in his paper that anyone pays to see him has it for his money. Others, like Lisa Schwarzbaum, welcomes the realization of Zack Snyder in “A first striking feature film”. However, other feathers regret the absence of social satire, a force of the original. On Rotten Tomatoes, The film that displays a 77% score is described as “a violent and surprisingly worthy remake” which “pays tribute to the original while functioning according to its own codes”. In 2024, the Army of the Dead remains the best film by Zack Snyder. Stephen King describes the latter as “perfected genius” in the zombie genre, notably praising his opening sequence.
The army of the dead and the career of Zack Snyder
The 2004 death army marks the beginnings of Zack Snyder as a director. Since then, he has directed several films, including adaptations of comics and/or superheroes. Among his notable works are 300 (2006), known for its distinctive visual style and its macho aesthetics. He also made Watchmen: Guardians (2009), a faithful and visually striking adaptation of the eponymous graphic novel. Then he launched the DC Extended Universe with Man of Steel (2013) and continued his work with Batman V Superman: dawn of justice (2016) et Justice League (2017). More recently, he returned to the genre zombie with Army of the Dead (2021), which he considers a spiritual successor to the 2004 death army. The filmmaker is also responsible for the dyptic Rebel Moon Funded by Netflix who disappointed fans of science fiction and subscribers.
Zack Snyder is often described as One of the most polarizing directors in modern cinemabut he is recognized for bringing an influential cinematographic language to Hollywood, characterized by significant visuals and epic stories. Director James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar) notably praised Zack Snyder, citing him as one of the filmmakers having created his own “cinematographic language”. While his career gets dressed on Netflix, The 2004 death army remains its hinge worknot only as his first film, but also for its lasting impact on the zombie genre and its recognition by critics and fans. “Failed and terrifying”, such is Dawn of the Dead for Nev Pierce from BBC.com.
