A mystery virus, spread by the bites of those infected, causes people to die and come back as blood hungry zombies. Not just slow, dopey zombies either, but dudes that can run. Soon civilization is over-run and a disparate bunch of survivors take refuge in a shopping mall. As the walking dead gather everywhere, and the survivors fight amongst themselves, it's soon a struggle for them to avoid joining the ranks of the walking maggot factories and escape to safety.

If you didn't know it already then this is a remake of George Romero's seminal 1978 film of the same name. That little word - remake - always fills me with dread, especially when it is a remake of an original that I loved. They hardly ever get remakes right and, more often than not, it is just a cynical cash in on the success and cult status of the original. Fortunately this film is more than just that.

It's certainly different from the original and not a shot for shot remake with more budget and bigger name stars. There are a lot of plot similarities but enough has changed here to, if not qualify this as a film in its own right, to make it a re-imagining rather than a remake. Yes, the special effects are a lot more realistic than you get in the 1978 version though, but that was a pretty safe bet since the original was shot on a shoestring budget. The zombies aren't quite as dumb either, and can manage quite a turn of speed when it suits them.

Our bunch of survivors, trapped in a giant shopping mall where all the trappings of our consumer culture are there for the taking but mostly worthless now, are actually a fairly interesting crew. They interact well, and there is a lot of character development throughout. I'll single out Sarah Polley (Ana) and Ty Burrell (CJ) for a particular mention as I thought both these characters evolved very convincingly from when we first met them. Mekhi Phifer as Andre also deserves a mention as the father to be torn by a terrible dilemma and insipient madness.

Action and pacing is good throughout, gore delivered to a professional standard, and the characters reactions to the unfolding terror they face is eminently believable. The ending also, so often a let down in films, compliments and enhances the work as a whole.

This movie excites, scares, and even manages the odd dark chuckle. It's a good film, although I still prefer the original with its low budget charm and music by, among others, Goblin. The remake is a cracking good watch though. It won't ever replace the spot the original holds in my heart but it is a good movie and a worthwhile remake. Highly recommended.