Zombies: Fast or Slow?

[Nukie 2]

But then all zombies would have an after-life span. Once the dead is too old is gets slower and has a harder time preying on the living; eventually the slow ones would die out.

[ToyMan]

I think the votes speak for themselves. 

except that the vote is imperfect, in that it only allows for people who have a preference to be counted. i, myself, have stated that i have no preference either way, and have not voted because there isn't an option that represents me.

[Dave M]

IMO, 28 Days Later is a zombie movie, but those aren't zombies, just like a movie set in space can be called a western, but that dosen't make the moonmen cowboys.

I'm kind of partial to the motley assortment of zombies myself. Some fresh ones who could pass for the living, some desicated like ancient mummies, some that can be taken out with a headshot, and others that are headless to begin with. I like to think that they're animated by some eldritch force or intelligence beyond human comprehension that plays by it's own, not necessarily consistent, set of rules.

[Nukie 2]

Ut oh, this thread opened a can of worms on the definition of "Zombie"!
Maybe the modern fast, infected person can be a zombie, because the living corpse brought back to life through radiation broke with the tradition of the voo-doo zombie.
Not all living corpses ate flesh or brains, some drank blood and could be considered a cousin of the Vampire.

So maybe as time progresses the definition changes.

[Terf]

All I know is I found the new "Dawn of the Dead" and "Return of the Living Dead" much freakier than the original "Dawn of the Dead"...

I think it's (at least partially) a generational thing. I think slow moving zombies today are going to have a harder time keeping kids interested in what's going on on-screen (unless they're really really gross looking, I suppose), so directors have resorted to using fast zombies to keep things intense all the time.

[ToyMan]

see, that's what i'm saying. fast zombies are good for terrifying action, and slow zombies are good for existential dread.

[Psycho Circus]

I think it's (at least partially) a generational thing. I think slow moving zombies today are going to have a harder time keeping kids interested in what's going on on-screen (unless they're really really gross looking, I suppose), so directors have resorted to using fast zombies to keep things intense all the time.

The kids today need to have patience with their dead...

[WilliamWeird1313]

IMO, 28 Days Later is a zombie movie, but those aren't zombies, just like a movie set in space can be called a western, but that dosen't make the moonmen cowboys.

I agree about 28 Days Later being a zombie movie. While I'm not a fan of "fast zombies" I did think 28 Days Later was a great movie (even if the sequel was total rubbish), and I disagree with the people who get really into splitting hairs and proclaim that 28 Days Later isn't "technically" a zombie movie. Seems to me it's just a little twist on the zombie genre. Like Tombs Of The Blind Dead.

But then all zombies would have an after-life span. Once the dead is too old is gets slower and has a harder time preying on the living; eventually the slow ones would die out.

Does that mean zombies would suffer a mid-death crisis?

I think it's (at least partially) a generational thing. I think slow moving zombies today are going to have a harder time keeping kids interested in what's going on on-screen (unless they're really really gross looking, I suppose), so directors have resorted to using fast zombies to keep things intense all the time.

The kids today need to have patience with their dead...

How young are we talkin' here? I'm pretty young and I'm still a slow zombie-phile.

see, that's what i'm saying. fast zombies are good for terrifying action, and slow zombies are good for existential dread.

I just don't find fast zombies scary. And I don't really get the point of bothering to use zombies if you're gonna have 'em be fast anyway. I think the zombies' slowness is sort of what makes them special. Take that away and, really, what does it matter just what kind of monster is sprinting at you with a mind to tear your flesh to pieces. Might as well be a werewolf, or a particularly savage vampire, or an alien monster, or whatever. At least, that's my opinion... and I mean no disrespect for yours, ToyMan.




Since we're on the subject of zombies, by the way, I was wondering... has anyone here read the book Zombie C.S.U. by Jonathan Maberry?

[Psycho Circus]

I think it's (at least partially) a generational thing. I think slow moving zombies today are going to have a harder time keeping kids interested in what's going on on-screen (unless they're really really gross looking, I suppose), so directors have resorted to using fast zombies to keep things intense all the time.

The kids today need to have patience with their dead...

How young are we talkin' here? I'm pretty young and I'm still a slow zombie-phile.

I'm talking about teenagers and young people our age, the mainstream, who still watch MTV, have no arse and all drink vegan coffee at Starbucks whilst listening to My Chemical HoobaBlink 41. You know, this generation of media sheep and airheads, who have no time for "concepts" and do not understand the word "slow" 

[WilliamWeird1313]

I know what ya meant. I was just kidding. But, yeah, we're in agreement.

By the way "My Chemical HoobaBlink 41" ...is hilarious.

[Fausto]

I think the votes speak for themselves. 

except that the vote is imperfect, in that it only allows for people who have a preference to be counted. i, myself, have stated that i have no preference either way, and have not voted because there isn't an option that represents me.

Good point.

[WingedSerpent]

I'll hedge my bet.  Shouldn't be able to run, but could at least powerwalk. 

[ghouck]

I like slow zombies, but I have to say those fast, climbing zombies in the Ravenholm section of the game Half-Life 2 scared the crap out of me.

I'll hedge my bet.  Shouldn't be able to run, but could at least powerwalk. 

Zombies on a Segway maybe? I think we're onto something.. ..

[Terf]

I like slow zombies, but I have to say those fast, climbing zombies in the Ravenholm section of the game Half-Life 2 scared the crap out of me.

Love that game! Yeah Ravenholm was the only part that I got freaked out about a little.

Zombies on a Segway maybe? I think we're onto something.. ..

...featuring Samuel L. Jackson when he finally turns 90 and is in a wheelchair.

"We have muthafukkin' zombies on [hack, cough] muthafukkin' Segways! Git offa mah lawn, muthafukkas!"

[AnubisVonMojo]

Zombies on a Segway maybe? I think we're onto something.. ..

Someone's way ahead of ya Ghouck...