Second Take: Universal Studios brings ‘The Walking Dead’ permanently to life

Some people have condemned modern culture as a “culture of death,” prone to immorality and violence. Considering the continued popularity of zombies in film, television and video games, it’s more like a culture of un-death.

Universal Studios Hollywood capitalized on the obsession with the undead by partnering with director and producer Greg Nicotero and his special effects studio KNB EFX to create a permanent walk-through attraction based on the AMC television show “The Walking Dead.” “The Walking Dead: A Walk Through Attraction” opens Monday.

At the press event, cameras, reporters and celebrities all packed like sardines on risers. As Universal Studios Hollywood’s Senior Vice President of Entertainment Tim Runco and Nicotero wrapped up their speeches, hordes of zombies rushed out from buildings and clawed at chained fences.

“The Walking Dead,” which critics hailed as the highest-rated and most-watched cable television show in history, was previously featured at Universal Studios Hollywood as a maze during Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights celebration. Runco said the maze was such a success that the park decided to allow viewers to experience the horror year-round.

“It’s a perfect match when you think about it, because horror movies were born at Universal Studios,” Runco said. “If you thought this was terrifying at home on your two-dimensional flat screen, just wait until you walk through the attraction.”

Every detail from the show was carefully recreated for the attraction using the same molds and prosthetics as the show, Nicotero said. The director hosted an open casting call and training camp for actors who would play walkers inside the attraction.

“The Walking Dead: A Walk Through Attraction” is a dark and intensely immersive experience that takes visitors along a path through key locations from the each of the show’s six seasons. Compared to other walk-through horror attractions, this was one of the most fun because guests can recognize what they are screaming at.

As visitors enter the attraction, they queue through the Georgia hospital that main character Rick Grimes woke up in during the show’s first season. The flickering lights, bloodstains and decaying atmosphere allow visitors to experience the terror Grimes felt, complete with the iconic “Don’t Open, Dead Inside” doors.

The walk-through itself is an intensely immersive sensory experience, more atmospheric than scary. The walker animatronics and actors are so convincingly life-like, pun intended, in their motion that the only thing missing is the smell of decaying flesh. Many iconic moments from the show are instantly recognizable, like the Bicycle Girl walker, the burning moonshine cabin and the prison.

The animatronics give visitors something to look at, while the actors move around and interact with the visitors. Even though it wasn’t real, there was still something deeply unnerving about being chased by a zombie in riot gear and seeing a half-charred zombie stumble out of a burning shack.

However, the attraction was disappointingly short. It took only about three minutes to complete, but the three minutes were so engrossing and detailed that guests feel cheated by not having a longer walk. There were also only about 12 actors in the attraction, and not all of them were zombies or jumped out. Increasing the number of walkers would create a heightened sense of realism and danger, making for an even better scare.

“The Walking Dead: A Walk Through Attraction” is a treat for fans of the show and of horror in general. The amount of detail and dedication to authenticity will help visitors feel like they’ve been shoved into the post-apocalyptic world. Although the attraction will provide a thrill for all guests, those familiar and up to date with the show will have that added enjoyment. For the added fun, I would suggest going in a group because squealing in terror is always more fun with friends.

“Fans will sort of live and breathe the show very much like I do,” Nicotero said.

One-day admission to the park costs $115 at the gate and includes access to “The Walking Dead: A Walk Through Experience.”