The horror genre surpasses all others when it comes to sequels. This entry is the third in the cult Dawn of the Dead series, while House of Wax is merely a remake, though it could spark a series of its own.
Romero made Night of the Living Dead back in 1968, the first installment of his Dead trilogy. Ten years later, with Dawn of the Dead, a ground-breaking satire on American consumerism, he strengthened his status of horror master and leader of the living-dead sub-genre.
Surrounded by zombies, four escapees seek safety in a mall. In this empty materialists'haven, they create a microcosm of society confronting issues of survival, race, gender, law and government. The new order doesn't last long. After breaking their own rules, they must battle a gang of plunderers and face the ever-hungry living dead outside.
There aren't any zombies in the House of Wax. Though this slasher/horror film does drip with the influence of three thriller classics: Hitchcock's Psycho in the 60s, Halloween in the late 70s and Friday the 13th in the early 80s. All three, of course, featured a psychopath who graphically kills whomever's in his way. All three also helped push the genre into the mainstream.

We should also mention a fourth and obvious influence, the original House of Wax, starting the king of them all, Vincent Price. Sadly, the current House lacks the master's touch.
Like Price's work, the Dead trilogy, stands the test of time, especially the gory special effects (Tom Savini rules!). And without question, Dawn of the Dead is the entertaining, accessible and prophetic chapter of the lot. Question is, will the upcoming release, Land of the Dead, live up to the past?

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue