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Shaun of the Dead
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg
Genre:
Romance, Horror, Comedy (RomZomCom)
Run Time: 99
min.
Release Date:
September 2004
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
For some horror fans,
satirizing the zombie genre (and let's face it, zombie films are
practically a genre unto themselves) could seem like sacrilege. With the
serious films that have come before - 28 Days Later, Dawn of the Dead,
and, of course, Night of the Living Dead - SHAUN OF THE DEAD leads us
down a path few have dared tread (Evil Dead fans should check out
this film to see how a real spoof is pulled off). Leave it to the British to
give us some gritty dialogue and bloody comedy all rolled into one. I,
for one, say "thank you."
So what's this film all about ...
Shaun (Simon Pegg) leads a dull and mundane lifestyle; he works at an
electronics store as a salesman, lives with a flatulently impaired and
obese roommate named Ed (Nick Frost) and a second roommate, Pete (Peter
Serafinowicz), who can't stand Ed. Shaun also has a girlfriend, Liz
(Kate Ashfield), who is suffering with him over his complete lack of
motivation to accomplish anything in his life. And she's right. Shaun
doesn't seem to notice the zombie-esque lifestyle he leads, the terrible
routine of drinking at `The Winchester' pub (named after the rifle that
gleams over the bar), the protecting of Ed's horrific behavior (ripping
farts and calling women the "C" word while never maintaining a job of
any kind), and, of course, his forgetfulness that she, Liz, is actually
a part of his life. So naturally she calls off their relationship,
causing Shaun and Ed to go on a drinking spree and video game holiday.
And when they awaken from the alcoholic stupor, some things have
changed. Only Shaun and Ed don't notice right away. They're so used to
life being slow, boring, and ...er ...well, shuffling, that they don't
take notice of the cars burning on the street, blood on the grocery
store floor, or the vacant gaze of their neighbors. This is where the
comedy really starts to take wing for the film.
When a "true" zombie wanders into their backyard, Shaun and Ed just
think she's drunk. But they quickly discover that this ...thing ...can't
be killed. And she is soon joined by another, much larger zombie. Shaun
and Ed have entered the apocalypse. But what do you use to defend
yourself in a country (let's remember, we're in England here) where guns
are not readily available? Initially, they throw everything they can
find at these shuffling monstrosities, but nothing seems to work (even
Shaun's old record collection, which is hilariously pulled off as they
try to decide which records to throw at the undead and which to save:
"Stone Roses?" "No!" "Second Coming?" "I liked it." "Dire Straits?"
"Chuck it."). Shaun finally picks up a cricket paddle and uses it to
bash in the brains of the undead, thus ending their life-after-life
existence.
A race to save everyone that Shaun loves soon ensues, and this includes
his roommates, Ed and Pete, his girlfriend, Liz, and his mom and stepdad.
But where to hide out until this has "blown over". Ah! Of course! The
Winchester pub!
What follows is truly hysterical. Shaun must deal with the fact that
Pete, his other roommate, has been bitten by a zombie. He also soon
discovers that his stepfather (who he never really cared for anyway) was
bitten, too. "All right, dude! We can drive his Jaguar!" Ed exclaims
happily.
Once all of Shaun's loved one's have been gathered together, they have
to make their way to the pub; but first they have to pass through a
shuffling maze of zombies. They do this through some wonderful trial and
error (from bashing in the head of every zombie in sight with the
cricket paddle, to shuffling and moaning like zombies to fake them out.
I mean, they're zombies for cryin' out loud! They ain't that smart.). Is
the pub the place to go? Can Shaun, who's life has been pretty much
meaningless up to this point, actually give meaning to it by saving all
those whom he cares for?
The thing that helps this film stand out above other spoofs is that it
doesn't dismiss the zombie-genre, but instead respects it and utilizes
it to great comedic advantage. It's not slapstick, nor bathroom humor
(although there is a touch of this thanks to Ed's bowels), but a set of
coarse narratives and script that pulls the viewer into these characters
lives and forces us to live with them. Most of us have seen, or have
family members who are, in some way, these stereotypical losers. You
can't help but cheer them on and hope that they survive their own
failings. And that's where SHAUN OF THE DEAD gives you the emotional umpf! that you need to enjoy the movie. You care about them and laugh at
their ridiculous inadequacies, both at the same time.
This is truly a great film. A+ ...especially for creativity.
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Image from Shaun of the
Dead
DVD cost: $10.99
Purchase:
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Film Review Stew
Favorite?
Yes.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Because of the timing and
the indisputable similarity of the names, the distributors were forced
to hold the film back until two weeks after Dawn of the Dead
(2004) was released in the UK.
Movie Quote: "Go
for the head."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Shaun of the Dead
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