Day of the Dead is a film by George A. Romero, the third in his long-standing series of zombie films. Romero's films are not just about gore and blood and zombie attacks (though they have plenty of those). They are about the people fighting for survival in these situations and the spirit of humanity, as well as displaying biting social commentary. Day of the Dead is no different.

For as long as I can remember, I've been familiar with Night of the Living Dead. But I was around ten when I first watched Dawn of the Dead and around twelve when I viewed Day of the Dead for the first time. For years I considered Dawn my favorite, but more recent viewings in the past few years have changed my mind. Now I believe Day is the best film in the series. Its characters are weaker, more flawed, more human, and they are far easier to relate to than Dawn's awesome cast.

The zombie makeup effects of Day are incredibly impressive, leaving a lasting imprint on our minds. The setting, an underground facility populated by only a handful of humans struggling to survive, was fascinating. And despite the overall bleak nature of the film, it actually had one of the most pleasant endings in zombie movie history. The movie is full of hard-hitting scenes, philosophy, and the kind of poetic justice that everyone loves to see.

Day of the Dead is a masterpiece, a classic movie even outside the zombie and horror genres. It's a movie that has a lot to say, and a compelling way of saying it. If you can stomach the gore, it's worth watching even if you normally don't touch zombie flicks. It's just that great.