Shaun of the Dead Review

        I’m back. It’s almost crazy to think that we’re almost done with this decade. A lot has changed that’s for sure. In case you haven’t been following me for a good while, every January is when I talk about a franchise. Typically varying with a trilogy, series, or sequels of films that I’ve already talked about. Most of them are mixed and some that I talked about are beloved in a sense that it’s interesting to see how a story continues in a sequel or series. This year I’ve decided to spice it up by talking about an unorthodox trilogy. By unorthodox, meaning that there’s nothing really connecting them aside from the cast and director having a hand in making the film. 

1. Shaun’s Zombie Odyssey

        I feel that the film came at a time when the zombie sub-genre was at its peak with the release of 28 Days Later. Whenever a genre is popular, you have the obligatory parody where it mocks genre by pocking holes at the overall story and plot. It’s rare to execute a parody where it pays tribute to the sub-genre while also being hilarious when having the characters deal with something as serious as a zombie outbreak. This was also the time when the parody movies where in a decline with the overabundance of the “Movie” Movies. 

        The name itself is just perfect as a comedic parody of the movie. Additionally that it’s not just a basic zombie movie but a character driven one where the main guy has his name plastered on the title and poster. It’s ironic since he’s not buff or just covered in blood and guts, but a basic guy who’s trying to survive alongside his friends and family. And that’s the kind of thing that the film has going for it, being ironic while also being a movie about an everyday guy being confronted with something that disrupts his usual day in the life. 

        We follow Shaun, as he lives with his friends Ed and Pete in the English neighborhood. Shaun is a bit of a slouch who puts up with Ed’s uncleanliness and not being a good boyfriend to his girlfriend Liz. We see how his life is as uneventful as it is as an electronic salesman. Shaun lacks being able to take the lead and try to have any authority in his life. I just love the moment where Shaun goes about his day when getting his drink at a corner store. All the while being completely oblivious to what’s happening around him. 

        What I admire about the film is that the characters play it completely straight when we see the outbreak progressively get worse. Shaun is totally oblivious as he’s a slacker that it’s only worried about himself and his girlfriend. Like we slowly get moments in the background of people coughing or just being attended to by the paramedics. There are moments where we get scary stinger sounds but it mostly contrasts with something ordinary that spooks Shaun or is just not ordinarily scary. 

        What makes the film work is Shaun. Just him being completely oblivious with the zombie infestation with him thinking it’s just a regular day is perfect. We really do get the same shot of him going to the store, albeit with damaged cars, zombies and the obligatory running survivor. It’s both him and his friend that try to learn how to beat the zombies with conventional tools that make the comedy work. Like, the whole film works like a sort of film a couple of friends make but making it engaging and believable. 

        Might also talk about the zombies and the juxtaposition of regular people. I love how from the very beginning there’s really not much difference between the living and the reanimated. I love the montage that was used to show the people existing in a zombie like state of utter boredom or contentment. It harkens back to George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead by having a not-so-subtle statement how regular people going about their lives as a zombie. Albeit this one takes it to a ridiculous degree of absurdity. The kills are great too as both Shaun and Ed start off small to kill them. Then it really ratches up as the best kill doesn’t involve the zombies but Shaun’s girlfriend’s male friend as he gets ripped to shreds. 

2. Edgar Wright

        This will be the third film that I’ve talked about that Edgar Wright directed. He’s not so much a mainstream director but one where he has a particular style when it comes to making his movies. He’s an auteur for the most part and a very niche one since most of his craft doesn’t cater the mainstream but is something different for anyone that is curious. This isn’t the first film that I’ve watched of his, but this is the one where he made a name for himself due to it’s success and surprise. 

        If you were to really understand how and why the film is executed in a way, it is that it’s editing helps flow the story more. When we follow Shaun, the edits click when he puts his clothes on or doing something. How it’s cobbled together makes it more interesting and intense with how much the zoom snaps to something ordinary like a faucet handle. More so that there’s a lot of background details that sell just how bad the situation is. To the point that both characters don’t explicitly point that a couple is still kissing outside a pub. All the while they don’t notice that the couple are zombies. 

        One more thing that must be addressed is the overall character arc that Shaun goes through during the whole ordeal. We see him as a lackadaisical guy where he’s a slacker to a lot of people. His girlfriend’s friends don’t even think that he’s good enough for him. We feel for him since he doesn’t have the pushback to stand up for himself. Amid the outbreak is where we see him take control. Just his whole elaborate plan along with the editing perfectly lines up with Shaun’s thinking. With the ending of the film, it perfectly aligns with what he’s been needing in his life. 

3. Overall

        Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead is one of the best comedy/horror film ever made.