Shaun of the Dead
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Movie Reviews of Shaun of the Dead
Movie Review: The line between life and un-life (un-death?) is blurred in this darkly funny British horror comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
While Shaun stumbles through his life (and we witness many others stumbling through theirs) in a daze similar to that of the "undead," around him the world is slowly collapsing into horror as zom- oops, I mean, the "z word" take over the world. Satirical and funny, scary and touching, this movie has it all (including a GREAT soundtrack!). At first Shaun is too focused on his own problems to notice anything else around him - his girlfriend is dissatisfied with their relationship, because all they ever do is go to pub (the Winchester) in the evenings with their respective roommates, and they never do anything together. Also, he is stuck in a dead-end job where, even when he is put into a position of authority when everyone else calls in, no one treats him with respect. His mother is the type who refuses to see the bad around her, while his stepfather is just . . . creepy.
Using the slow take-over and Shaun's complete unawareness of it as a point of showing how little we tend to pay attention to the world around us, and doing so in a darkly humourous way was a definite hit. Once Shaun realizes what is happening, he decides what to do and sets out to do it - basing his entire decision on making certain he gets his mother and his girlfriend to some type of safety and not really considering carefully before choosing the pub that perhaps the zombies could break the glass in the windows (of course, the zombies didn't need to, since whats-his-knob, that blue-nosed son-of-a-pumpkin, broke them first).
At any rate, I loved it and this movie earns a definite YES YOU MUST SEE IT from me!
Movie Review: A true gem of a zombie film.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the type of zombie film horror fans have been aching for since "Evil Dead II" and the original "Dawn of the Dead." The writing is suprisingly intelligent and altogether tongue-in-cheek. The gore is everywhere and so realistic as to invoke heartfelt cringing...often followed by a burst of laughter. I want to relate sequences that are not only funny but sociologically profound (no kidding), but to give away these scenes would spoil the effect of the film. As with George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" there is more depth to this film than at first glance, with comparisons between zombies and mankind that are blurred to the point of being almost identical. Once again I have to inhibit myself from giving away too much. Yet another additive that sets this film apart from the rest of the genre is that all the characters are worth rooting for and caring about. There are actually some touching scenes with authentic emotions indicating that although there are many ridiculous moments loaded with humor, these are real people caught in a life or death situation. The way this film shifts from true horror and pain to slapstick (sometimes literally "slapstick") makes this a remarkable creation. There are many subtle, sometimes vague references to many films such as "Resevoir Dogs," "Snatch," "28 Days Later," the two aforementioned walking dead films, and even a mood-altering thud in the score that reminded me of John Carpenter's "The Thing." I have seen many zombie films before, but never one as thoughtfully created as this one. This is a superb addition to the genre. Highly recommended.Movie Review: A Gem!
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't usually do too well with zombie flicks...I spend most of the movie with my coat over my face. So I was torn when I first heard reviews of "Shaun of the Dead" because while it looked amusing, it still involved zombies. I am so glad I overcame my queasiness and went to see it!
This is not a zombie movie, it's a poke at common culture that happens to have zombies in it. As they say, the mark of a hero is how he reacts to adversity. The focal point is NOT the destruction caused by the undead but rather what happens to our hero in the aftermath. Because Shaun is a hero. He is Everyman, from his penchant for drinking in his favorite pub to his ignorance of his girlfriend's wishes to his lack of enthusiasm over his job and quest for respect which will never come, right down to his incessant channel surfing which keeps him from catching wind of the growing panic outside his door. That's where the comedy is rooted, in the places where the audience can laugh at themselves because they really see themselves onscreen. And then there are some simply hilarious moments, such as the one outside the pub when Shaun and his roommate sing drunkenly and think they are being backed up by a fellow drinker who we know is merely a moaning zombie. Brilliant.
The message here is a simple one and is clearly illustrated throughout the picture, most obviously in the opening sequence: What's the difference between these people who shuffle blindly through their days and the actual zombies? The movie is brilliant and funny and scary at points as well...Perfect.
Movie Review: I Had Fun Watching This One
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I can't stand the overuse of profanity in movies, but once I ignored that fact I really enjoyed this spoof about zombie movies. Shaun of the Dead has a character all its own. This movie gave me the impression that some people who really wanted to have fun while making a movie got together and did just that.
This is like the Scary Movie spoofs, only ten times better. Simon Pegg, besides in the movie, just seems like the kinda guy you'd like to sit down and have a beer with. He has that "it" factor people always talk about - a universal appeal if you will. He is great at what he does - act. Pegg makes this movie a blast to watch, and I'll bet he made it a lot of fun to film too. Hey Pegg, if you read this review, next time you're in Chicago, Illinois, look me up. I'll meet ya for a brewsky. Maybe I could write your next film.
Kate Ashfield is well...hmmm...how do a I say this? Easy on the eyes - does a wonderful job as Shaun's girlfriend. She also seems like a very down-to-earth person who manages to make her role in a spoof movie still be interesting. Not an easy task. But that is what this movie does best; it spoofs the zombie genre without going over the edge. You still care about what happens to the cast, and at the same time have fun watching the zombies try and eat them. Only this amazing cast (all of you involved can pat yourselves on the back now) could pull that off.
Buy this movie! You'll love it. Ignore the overkill on the F-word.
See ya next review.
Movie Review: Dead Routine...
Summary: 5 Stars
Ever look around you and see zombies shambling about? Ever look in the mirror and see a zombie staring back at you? Well, SHAUN OF THE DEAD is for you! Other than OFFICE SPACE, I haven't seen many movies that capture our inhuman, workaday condition as well as this one does. Imagine going through the motions of life, year after dreadful year, until one day the world is inundated by zombie flesheaters. Now, imagine yourself not noticing the holocaust, due to your own zombie-like deadness! That's what the title character does, wandering through his daily rituals, oblivious to the carnage and chaos swirling around him! Shaun eventually wakes up after a "drunk" gal in his back yard turns out to be a re-animated corpse, hungry for Shaun's body mass! Together with his housemate, Ed, Shaun sets out on a mission to save his mum and ex-girlfriend from the cadaverous onslaught. Shaun must take control and use his wits for what appears to be the first time in his life. He must battle both the zombie horde and the idiocy of Ed! Can this simple nobody be the warrior / savior of his friends? Can he stand against the terror while everyone around him falls apart? This movie lampoons the zombie film, while skewering the routines we find ourselves in. It takes a normal guy like Shaun and tosses him into the shark tank of the unknown. It's also hysterically funny! I laughed from start to finish, even though there are some truly horrifying moments sprinkled in. The gore-factor is high, and the story is great. The best zombie parody since DEAD ALIVE! Highly recommended...