Thoughts on TWD

[Gemini]

I saw it last night and I'm blown away! Truly memorable zombies, awesome effects. The scene at the end where he's about to blow his brains out only to look up and see the entrance to the tank was just brilliant. I really appreciate that they put some actual suspense and grim realism back into the genre. Romero's last few few films felt like Shaun of the Dead by comparison. In fact if Romero were to direct a future episode and maintain his current form it would tarnish the series. I also like how they found a nice medium between shambling and sprinting zombies. When they see prey they become frenzied and pick up the pace - more dangerous than the almost too-vulnerable Romero species. One thing from a practical standpoint - the zombies are clearly rotting away. Seems to me just holing up for a period of months or even weeks would be enough for the crisis to pass. The high ratings and quality of the series really sets the stage for the big budget World War Z.

[kidgloves]

Hurrah for you. I found the under the tank scene a bit strange when he looked up. Dunno if Lincoln had rehearsed it too many times or what but that moment when he saw the hatch felt awkward.

[AcesandEights]

Gemini, glad you also liked it, man. I can't agree more about the need for "actual suspense and grim realism." Let's hope the quality stays high and the overall flow of the stories blend well without becoming monotonous. Hurrah for you. I found the under the tank scene a bit strange when he looked up. Dunno if Lincoln had rehearsed it too many times or what but that moment when he saw the hatch felt awkward. I too felt the transition of Rick's realization of the hatch and his suddenly popping up through it was a bit jarring and unnatural of a transition, but not a big deal, for me. I mean it was like he woke up from a dream and seemed to be going up through the hatch without a 'huh?' moment, but maybe I should re-watch it for his recognition.

[Legion2213]

R.E. Zombies...they seem to need "activating" don't they? They tend to sit around (tank zombie, bus zombies) or mill around in large clusters until something gives them a sign that it might be edible. Then they start chugging like a steam train, getting faster as they go along. I have never had a problem with fast zombies, but this series sort of uses a pick and mix of the best traits IMO.

[AcesandEights]

R.E. Zombies...they seem to need "activating" don't they? They tend to sit around (tank zombie, bus zombies) or mill around in large clusters until something gives them a sign that it might be edible. Then they start chugging like a steam train, getting faster as they go along. Well...a little spoilerish, but...   There is no strict definition, but in the comic book there do seem to be different sets of behaviors that allow the survivors to tag various zeds they come across as either 'lurkers' or 'roamers'. This seems to be an arbitrary tag that is more a definition of the current behavioral set of the zed in question, which presumably would be in response to numerous(?) other factors acting upon the zed (lack of stimulus, perhaps--as you mentioned--comes to mind as one possible example etc.).

[Legion2213]

Man I still have volumes 1 & 2 sitting there unread, gonna have to crack them open and get in there.

[AcesandEights]

Man I still have volumes 1 & 2 sitting there unread, gonna have to crack them open and get in there. When it comes to indulgences of this sort, no time like the present

[darth los]

I thought the hatch moment was spot on (always the contrarian huh aces? ) @ o.p. I always did think that the far end of logan's estimate of 10-12 years before they rotted away enough to not be a threat was too much. A corpse would be down to nothing in a couple of years tops and that's being stationary, without the wear and tear of moving around. And about the pace of GAr's ghoul's it depends on which film we're talking about. In night they do the Hinzman Hobble and have a little strength as seen when wrestling with dwayne jones. In dawn they are more listless, for the most part, highlighted by the hare krishna zombie who didn't seem to care if he ate fran or not. Then we have the ghouls from day with which if the firefighter zombie is any indication could rip your arm off and beat you to death with it if they don't eat it first.

[AcesandEights]

I thought the hatch moment was spot on (always the contrarian huh aces? ) But honest injun, this time I really did think it was a little bit of an awkward transition, though I do need to see it a second time.

[darth los]

But honest injun, this time I really did think it was a little bit of an awkward transition, though I do need to see it a second time. From what i saw he was about to blow his own brains out and saw the hatch. He had a moment where looked looked like a guy who just disarmed a bomb with one second to go. Honestly, I don't think it was as bad as what you guys are saying. But you just know now I'LL have to take another look tonight.

[kidgloves]

R.E. Zombies...they seem to need "activating" don't they? They tend to sit around (tank zombie, bus zombies) or mill around in large clusters until something gives them a sign that it might be edible. Then they start chugging like a steam train, getting faster as they go along. I have never had a problem with fast zombies, but this series sort of uses a pick and mix of the best traits IMO. Wait till we get to the herds

[DubiousComforts]

I found the under the tank scene a bit strange when he looked up. Dunno if Lincoln had rehearsed it too many times or what but that moment when he saw the hatch felt awkward. I thought the same thing, though it was only a minor hiccup. Had he not bumbled his way into a horde of walkers to begin with, it probably would have just gone by as a lucky break.

[sandrock74]

He didn't have time to celebrate his discovery of the hatch. He was commited to the idea of putting a bullet in his head, saw the hatch and acted quick. No real biggie.

[Gemini]

R.E. Zombies...they seem to need "activating" don't they? They tend to sit around (tank zombie, bus zombies) or mill around in large clusters until something gives them a sign that it might be edible. Then they start chugging like a steam train, getting faster as they go along. I have never had a problem with fast zombies, but this series sort of uses a pick and mix of the best traits IMO. Exactly. And Romero deserves credit for that idea. If you'll recall the opening scene of Day of the Dead, the dead were slumbering until being awoken by the bull horn. ---------- Post added at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 PM ---------- Man I still have volumes 1 & 2 sitting there unread, gonna have to crack them open and get in there. Although I have only read volume 1 and do like it quite a bit, the series so far is decidedly better imo. Every deviation from the comic book is an improvement and adds depth to the story. ---------- Post added at 11:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ---------- Well...a little spoilerish, but...   There is no strict definition, but in the comic book there do seem to be different sets of behaviors that allow the survivors to tag various zeds they come across as either 'lurkers' or 'roamers'. This seems to be an arbitrary tag that is more a definition of the current behavioral set of the zed in question, which presumably would be in response to numerous(?) other factors acting upon the zed (lack of stimulus, perhaps--as you mentioned--comes to mind as one possible example etc.). Agree with your theory regarding stimulis affecting mobility of the zombies. Bicycle zombie, for instance, was slumbering until being agitated by Lincoln, at which point it crawled half way across the park. That zombie by the way, has to be one of the top three or four most memorable zombies ever seen. Very effective how they made you feel sorry for the thing too. ---------- Post added at 11:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:46 PM ---------- One more thing - why do you suppose so many of them have missing facial tissue around their mouths? In addition to exposing their teeth to make them look more fearsome there may be a practical reason - they are unthinking, unfeeling eating machines. I suspect they slam their gnashing teeth into anything they can find and gnaw viciously, hard enough for the rotting lips and surrounding areas to be ground away from their features.

[Legion2213]

That zombie by the way, has to be one of the top three or four most memorable zombies ever seen. Very effective how they made you feel sorry for the thing too. The poor bastard didn't even seem to be interested in eating him, it just looked really pathetic and sorry for itself...so yeah, not often your heart goes out to a zombie, but that one really did need putting down out of sheer mercy. That entire scene with bike zombie and the guy trying to end his zombie wifes misery just tweaked on the old heart strings big time. Really good stuff IMO.