Shaun of the Dead
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Movie Reviews of Shaun of the Dead
Movie Review: Zombie movie for people who laugh at zombie movies
Summary: 5 Stars
Mutilating zombies has never been funnier than in Shaun of the Dead. Taking a page from the Evil Dead franchise, this film provides plenty of blood, guts, and gut-busting comedy. But what's really brilliant about it is that it doesn't limit itself to comedy and zombie-killing, but also makes subtle commentary about real-life zombies: us.
The main character, as the title tells us, is, of course, Shaun (Simon Pegg), a 29-year-old slacker who works in an electronics store with a bunch of teenagers and spends his nights at the Winchester Tavern, getting drunk with his buddy Ed (Nick Frost), who is also crashing at his place, and his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield), whose patience with his general apathy is wearing thin.
One night, Shaun fails to make proper dinner plans, and Liz dumps him outright, so Shaun and Ed go to the Winchester yet again to drown their sorrows. The next morning, a severely hungover Shaun walks to a nearby convenience store in a trance, not even noticing the carnage around him that has been caused by the walking dead. When he gets back to his house, Shaun and Ed finally figure out that these pale-faced creatures are not, in fact, just drunk, but are actually deadly zombies, and so, after some failed attempts to dispel them by throwing bad records and other such household objects at them, Shaun takes up a cricket bat, and Ed a shovel, and the two of them start whacking zombies. Shaun comes up with a plan: (1) steal roommate Pete's car, (2) pick up Liz, (3) pick up Shaun's mom and kill his step-father who has been bitten by a zombie, (4) go to the Winchester, which is somehow secure, (5) ummm... wait until they go away? Okay, so it's not the best plan in the world, but nobody else seems to have any better ideas.
Shaun of the Dead successfully lampoons every bad zombie movie that was ever made, by taking the cliches from them and turning them on their heads. For example, when Shaun procures a shotgun and starts firing on the zombies, he can't hit any of them--of course he can't, he's never even touched a shotgun before! And the screenplay is smart: these characters react as people really would react; they don't immediately know all the answers and they don't come up with great plans for destroying them. They come up with bad plans and then have to figure out step by step what to do to keep from being bitten and becoming zombies themselves.
Writer-director Edgar Wright and his co-writer (and star of the film) Simon Pegg decide to take their time in the beginning of the film to establish the characters and their quirks, and this is an excellent strategy, because it sets up everything else that follows. When Simon's strategy is to set up camp at the Winchester, well of course it is, because we know that that's how he thinks. I laughed hysterically for nearly the entire length of the movie, especially so at the end when the fate of the zombies is revealed. It's the perfect ending to an excellent film.
Movie Review: The most hilarious film of the year!
Summary: 5 Stars
I seriousely think that this is the most hilarious film of the year. One good thing about this movie, is that you do not have to watch the real "Dawn of the Dead" in order to actually enjoy the spoof, "Shaun of the Dead."
Storyline- The storyline of Shaun of the Dead is basically about a guy named Shaun and his friend who are practically fed up with life. He cant really be bothered to do anything along with his friend Ed. The only real fun they can entertain themselves with is either by playing video games or annoying the living daylights out of their roomate Pete.
When they find out that they're are zombies on the loose and everytime someone is bit by a zombie, h@ll breaks out for them. They cant think of a plan to get out of the situation and they end up like wild chickens with their heads popped off, mentally not literally. It is up to them to stop the Zombies and get out of town, fast.
What i liked about the storyline is that it is so simple and yet hilarious. Director Edgar Wright does a wonderful job of sticking to the story as well as every so often resorting to the real version "Dawn of the Dead."
Great job guys in terms of storyline!
Acting/script- The acting/script, i thought, was actually better then the real storyline. The words and phrases that each character comes out with are just priceless and another good thing about the characters is that each one has the same personality. This usually isn't good for movie, but when your talking about a spoof like this, its hilarious and great. The actors do a really great job on letting the world know that they are living a dull life and are just fed up with it. I really don't think that they could have chosen better actors to be honest for the role of Shaun, Ed and Pete once again because of their great emotions and acting skills! (Well at least in this movie their acting skills are great, i have to admit, i had never even heard of any of them before this movie came out:)
Once again, great job!
Other/conclusion- There really isn't that much more to the movie besides the hilarious lines, acting and the storyline. There isn't much action, nore special effects and it isn't really suspensful. I know your probobly thinking, then why go see it? But its the comedy that make this movie great and definetely worth seeing. If your one of those people who don't like characters cursing their heads off (which is one of the reasons why this movie is rated "R" besides SOME gruesome scenes), then you might want to stay away from it and not watch it, but now a days no one cares HOW much characters swear/curse in movies which is why i think the director added quite a few of those words in the movie, to show emotion and knowing that the audience won't really care.
In conclusion, if your up for a great killer comedy, this is definetely worth renting or even buying from your local movie retailer!
Movie Review: BEST ZOMBIE FILM IN YEARS!
Summary: 5 Stars
If the jokes and sight gags came just a bit more rapid paced you'd swear this film would have been made by the Zucker Brothers. As Airplane skewered Aircraft disaster films and Naked Gun skewered cop dramas, Shaun of the dead is a rousing parody, and yet glorious tribute to zombie films, particularly those of George Romero.
This is one of those films that requires 100% attention as there are just as many things going on in the backgound as there are in the foreground and if you don't pay attention, you'll miss some of the very ingenious tips of the hat that director Edgar Wright gives to those movies that he pays tribute to. Listen to those radio and TV broadcasts playing in the background, keep your eyes on what those zombies are doing way down the street...it's all clever stuff. I particularly love the radio report blaming an American Spacecrafts return descent as a possible explanation of the zombie phenomena.
Shaun takes it's cue mainly from DAwn of the Dead. Shaun is played by Simon Pegg. He's a 29 year old electronics store loser. He's just lost his girlfriend Liz, he's regretting a trip the following day to his mother's house and dealing with his stepfather. He shares a flat with Ed, a lazy, overweight, crude couch potato whose even a bigger loser than Shaun. While out to get some goods from the convenience store, Shaun is completely oblivious to the dead bodies and shambling zombies in his neighborhood. Quite a wonderful skewering of middle America...err...England, just as Romero did in Dawn.
Soon Shaun and Ed encounter the first zombies in their back yard and eventually discover you can take them out in similar Romero fashion by destroying the brain. Thus the pair begins a plan of rescuing Shauns 'mum', his ex Liz, and her friends Dianne and David and taking refuge not in a mall, but in hilarious English style, the local pub! Along the way the little group of survivors dodges zombies through suburban back yards, arguing amongst themselve and even encounters another group of survivors who match them almost identically as if from Bizarro world.
Shaun of the Dead is the best Zombie movie in many years. Better than both "28 Days Later" and the "Dawn" remake because of its style, and also because it follows the number one rule of Zombies: Zombies are SLOW and shambling. They are not sprinters! Shaun's amusing digs of these two films will certainly not be lost on anyone who's seen them. Kudos again for Mr. Wright for calling them out.
If I have one complaint, it's that the last 3rd of the film is played mostly as a straight zombie horror film and the comedy takes a bit of a back seat. But the ending does save it as Director right gives one last bow to George Romero by tipping his hat to "Day of the Dead"
The great DVD is loaded with extras including commentary and deleted scenes. I cannot recommend this one any higher!
Movie Review: A new comedy formula *spolilers*
Summary: 5 Stars
Creating a formula picture is never a good idea - unless you have created a formula like Simong Pegg and Edgar Wright have done here. Initially, "Shaun of the Dead" in title and in plot description, sounds like a mere parody of Romero's dead movies ala "Scary Movie" and such. But Wright and Pegg, in spoofing the genre, create an homage pic. It's full of funny moments that tip their hit to Romero's 'Zed word' flicks, but it has so much original horror and humor to offer.
Namely, the premise is original. While many horror pics looks at the heroic survivors of a horrific tragedy, "Shaun" looks at those other guys. Unlike the inhuman heroism of typical horror pics, Shaun and his friend Ed are unapologetic slackers. In fact, Shaun's desire to save his friends may do more harm than good. Wright and Pegg craft an interesting bunch of characters that are really those other guys in horror films. They're funny and horribly flawed. Shaun's plan to save everyone is interesting in its successes and failures, breaking the trend of so much recent horror. In all its comedy, you'll still care about every character in the end. In that, its successful in its own right as a horror film, as much as it is in comedy.
But it's the comedy that triumphs above all. The writing is razor sharp. Listen to every piece of dialogue and you wil realize that Wright and Pegg have crafted an ingenious script that is constantly referencing itself as well as other horror movies. Key to the writing though is the pitch perfect delivery. This is something that Simon Pegg, in particular, has perfected. His humor is rather dry, sometimes subtle. Yet at the same time, he is also a brilliant physical comedian, as noted in this film's famous jukebox scene.
Pegg doesn't ride alone in his talent though. He has quite a bit of support, namely in his partner in crime Nick Frost - who's humor is much more direct as the lovable oaf Ed, and Dylan Moran, who has achieved fame in his own right doing stand up and in Black Books. While visibly more sober here, Moran is impecable as the uptight critical friend of Shaun's girlfriend.
But one sole review is not enough to express all the great things about 'Shaun of the Dead.' You're best served by watching the film. When you're done watch it again. If you have time, watch it again and just listen to it to hear all the witty dialogue. Then you can raid the extras. This DVD is full of them. While I love "plot holes" section, my favorite involves the making of the film. This is far from standard 'making of' fare, as it traces "Shaun" from it's young origins. Watch these guys at work - you'll realize more goes into this comedy than a simple script and a couple funny actors.
Just as a side note, for those curious, the Region 2 DVD differs in the fact that the UK trailers are included and that 3 (coun them: 3!) more commentaries are included.
Movie Review: Zombies In England
Summary: 5 Stars
When I think of people that watch zombie movies like "Night of the Living Dead", and are actually fans, I think of would-be film maker types that use words like "poignant" and "glorious" and "genius" a lot when describing obscure films that are about as interesting as my big toe.
The movie trailer initially intrigued me because unlike most movies, it doesn't show you the best parts of the movie and make you feel cheated once you watch it. However, this movie seemed sort of forgotten and I did not run across it again until yesterday I rented it on a whim.
It tells the story of Shaun (Simon Pegg) as he begins possibly the worst 24 hours of his life. His girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield) has dumped him, and you can't blame her as they never spend quality time together. Why? Because Shaun's roomie and childhood friend Ed (Nick Frost), is in the way. All the two pals want to do seemingly is to hang out at The Winchester Pub getting drunk. Also, Shaun's other room mate, Peter (Peter Serafinowicz)is getting fed up with Ed because he is a slacker, brings in no money, contributes nothing toward cleaning up, and is generally an irresponsible, farting slob.
So, after Liz dumps Shaun, he and Ed go to the Winchester, and pretty much close it down, unaware as they trudge through their hangovers that zombies have been roaming the streets.
From the point at which they realize what is happening, Shaun, who is fed up with being a loser, takes the initiative to get himself and loved ones out of this mess. Naturally, they hole up at the Winchester.
What sets this movie apart is that it is hilarious. The absurdity in the humor goes places that this type of movie never goes, and yet, it manages somehow to seem very natural. After all, what would you do in that situation?!
The characters are lovable, funny, and have a realness to them that generally doesn't exist in any horror movie, and certainly not a comedy-horror. They all play off one another so well that you truly feel like they are these characters, and not just actors playing them. They have some depth to them, and while I am not claiming that they are at the level of characters in some "serious" movie, they go beyond the norm of this genre in making the heroes come to life...or death.
Even if you aren't some film maker wannabe, this is a zombie movie everyone can enjoy. This isn't a B-movie, though it pokes fun at them without losing itself in the satire as "Scary Movie" type movies have done. Neither does it lose itself in the trite formulas of horror movies. While some of it is predictable, the characters and story line show that a little more effort was put forth.
This is definitely in the Top Five Horror Movies of all time, and probably one of the Top Ten Comedies of all time for me.