Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Amusement Park’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Amusement Park’.
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One thing that every horror fan can agree upon, is that the genre is quickly evolving right before our eyes. Because horror stories are no longer concerned with just grand fears of the unknown, instead they are making a concerted push to truly explore what scares us, specifically… what is in our hearts and in our minds. Which is why we are seeing a bevy of movies and books and shows explore the impact of trauma and taboo topics that have hidden in the shadows for far too long. Which has led to some powerful storytelling for certain, the kind that now leaves us in silence after the story has come to its end, while we ponder upon how everything uncomfortable, we just witnessed… applies to our everyday lives and how we might be able to conquer it.
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But what is truly fascinating about this incredible paradigm shift, one that is genuinely forcing filmmakers to think hard about how they examine the human condition when they set out to make a horror movie, one particular filmmaker actually tackled this type of shift long before the pioneers of the industry today decided that the horrors of the soul might be worth exploring. But alas, no one ever knew that was the case since George A. Romero’s The Amusement Park was quickly buried and ‘lost’ by its investors after George completed work upon it. But thanks to his wife, Suzanne Desrocher Romero, and the George A. Romero Foundation and Shudder, this long-lost pioneering vision from George is now available for the whole world to see and well, what George explores in this particular motion picture, makes it one of his most horrifying creations. 

For George takes the time to tackle a bevy of topics both personal and external in this tale, with a vast majority of the themes focused upon ageism and the prejudice that older folks in our nation face on a consistent basis, alongside his trademark and visionary commentary on who we are and where we are headed and he accomplishes this particular feat by introducing us to an older gentlemen who wants to simply enjoy a beautiful day at a local amusement park. But not long after he enters the park with tickets in hand, does he come to realize that this park is nothing but a horror show, one filled to the brim with ignorance and cruelty and fear untold and well, that’s when George’s exploration on how we treat the elderly gets underway and that makes for some unsettling moments.

Because this story holds nothing back in making it clear that growing old in America can in fact, be quite the horrifying experience. For George makes it inherently clear, that there is a grand stigma that surrounds old age, one that leads people to believe that once you’ve hit retirement, you’re useless and likely incompetent at just about everything and Romero hammers that point home by offering up familiar and uncomfortable examples where people express that concern, and the indignity of those moments absolutely gives the viewer pause. Because we’ve likely thought what the characters are expressing, or we’ve seen it happen before our eyes and that definitely stays with you long after the movie has come to an end. As does what Romero has to say about the other reason why growing old in America can be a terrifying journey. 

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Since George is quick to point out in this film, that older people are something of an afterthought in our nation. To the point where they are best out of sight and out of mind, so that youth can prevail and be celebrated and by ignoring the elderly and leaving them to their own devices and by making a point to spend as little time with them as possible, our actions create an air of fear. Because loneliness after spending a lifetime around people is scary indeed, as is the isolation. Since we depend upon one another for help and resources and not having a safety net around or not having someone to rely upon is about as terrifying as it gets and that too makes for a sobering segment of the story, one that really does hammer home the transformation our lives can undergo once our hair turns white and our bodies begin to show a little wear and tear.
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But while that does make for an uncomfortable experience, that doesn’t necessarily offer up the elevated and personalized horror experience we find today. But it is there, in the subtle manner that only a George Romero story can present. For George uses quick visuals and cuts to also help us understand that we likely shun the elderly because they represent our collective fear of death and seeing someone of advanced age walking around reminds us that youth isn’t forever and someday that will be us too, so it is best to ignore them to ignore our biological fate and Romero expands upon that further, by pointing out that growing old is also a scary experience. Because we find ourselves facing the end once we hit a certain age. For once we start to see our friends and family leave this plane of existence for what lies beyond, we too have to start thinking about saying goodbye and well… few of us are ever ready to do that.

However, while George’s observations are powerful and downright horrifying through and through since this film does do a wonderful job of exploring external and internal fears all at once, this is of course a George A. Romero movie. Which means that his trademark grand commentary on America and its future is present here as well and that too, is powerful and poignant since George has a lot to say about the failings of the American health care system and how a great deal of the problems presented here and in America in general could likely be solved with a little compassion and decency. And putting that on display and realizing that he once again predicted that those issues might exacerbate with time, makes his commentary as prophetic as ever and well, in the end… all of these elements make this an utterly brilliant film. 

One that serves to remind us that George A. Romero was one of the finest filmmakers and storytellers out there, and that his ability to observe the pratfalls of our world remains unparalleled. But what’s truly special about this movie, is that we finally get to see it, and a round of applause and a thank you note is in order for Suzanne Desrocher Romero for her tireless efforts in ensuring that this movie was able to see the light of day. Because to enjoy a fresh Romero film some four years after his passing really is a magical experience through and through, and well, if you love movies in the slightest… log into Shudder and check this one out right now. For The Amusement Park really is a masterpiece, one that showcases Romero’s skill set to a tee and chills the viewer to the bone, with a shocking look at what growing old in America entails.

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