Another Winner from AMC: The Walking Dead

I never was a "zombie" type of person. I don't think I have ever seen a zombie film. When I heard that AMC was creating a series on zombies I thought, "This isn't going anywhere. Maybe this may last for a hot second" (I say that because the first episode aired on Halloween). I was wrong on two levels: first, it's AMC, second, when you have a great storyline to work with and a great director/producer.

The Walking Dead is a comic book series created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore. The premise revolves around "group of people trying to survive in a world stricken by a zombie apocalypse" and central character is Rick Grimes(played by Andrew Lincoln), a small time sheriff where one minute he was engaged in a shoot out then the next minute he wakes up in an abandoned hospital. As he stumbles around the hospital he sees dead bodies and comes to a chained door that has warning of do not open. As Rick approaches the door, the dead tries to break through the doors. He stumbles outside to only find hundreds of dead bodies wrapped up and just when he thinks he has seen the worst, as he finds a bike to check on his wife and child he comes across a half, decaying body she comes alive. Rick finally composes himself to get home only to find his wife Lori(Sarah Wayne Callies) and Carl(Chandler Riggs), his son, gone but there is a glimmer of hope because as he looks through their home the photo albums have been all been taken. From there as he stumbles outside to be only plowed in the face with a shovel because of being mistaking for a "Walker". A family and son(Morgan and Duane) take Rick in, nurse his wounds and those the epic begins for survival in this zombie apocalypse.

The acting is great, the writing is top notch, and the film style is masterful. Why Frank Darabont wanted to bring this to television I don't know but I'm glad he did. AMC like USA Network have been hitting it out of the ball park when it comes to bringing great shows to television. What "The Walking Dead" has made me realize is the creativity that is alive and well and when it is approached right and a network allows a show to grow this is the end result, a great show. What this show has done is make me love horror films again and made me seek out the the comic book series. Yes the comic book is a little different from the TV series but again when it's done right, you don't mind the changes as long as it sticks to the main story line.

But be warned, this is not for the weak stomach because by this being on cable some of scenes when the "Walkers" feast on flesh is not for the faint of heart. I have watched episodes 1 - 4 many times and some of the scenes still make me turn my head. One of my buddies, Todd Kelley, love zombie movies and now since watching "The Walking Dead" I can see why. AMC has another winner on it's hands and I'm glad I didn't have a closed mind to this new show.