It seemed like the zombie genre was past its prime. When studios started churning out movies that featured Nazi zombies, you knew the genre was creaking toward its inevitable demise.
But in 2010, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” reinvigorated the tired zombie genre by infusing it with a new vitality and a great cast of characters.
Based on the ongoing graphic novel of the same name, “The Walking Dead” follows Sheriff Rick Grimes and a small band of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun with zombies known as “walkers.”
The show isn’t burdened by heavy exposition about the origin of the zombie apocalypse, choosing instead to focus on the characters and their struggle to survive the zombies and each other.
“The Walking Dead” is surprisingly poignant and psychological at times, serving as an excellent character study of a group of people who are isolated and fighting for survival. It’s gripping and exciting, and refreshingly, it does not overdo the gore or violence.
“The Walking Dead” has some remarkable similarities to another cult show, “Lost,” which also served as a study on a cast of characters who were thrown together under supernatural circumstances and forced to deal.
The similarities stop there, however. “The Walking Dead” is currently making a name for itself and gaining momentum.
With the premiere of a new second season episode Feb. 12 after a four-month hiatus, “The Walking Dead” is back and better than ever.
hbui@theeagleonline.com
