Movie Review #40 - Shaun of the Dead

[catalyst2]

Having had so many people rave on about this movie (see, nixygirl, I do listen occasionally), I really had to see what all the fuss was about. I loved very minute of it - so very British in its understated humour but still so very funny.

First check of the watch - do I even own a watch?


I read Simon Pegg's description of this as "the world's first zom-rom-com" and I can only agree. Zombies never looked so good or funny as here. Every review mentions it so I will too, but the two versions of walking to the corner shop in the morning are works of genius - in fact, some of the zombies look more animated in their dead state than in their live state!

However, the scene that is just genius for me is the one where the two bands of survivors - one lead by Shaun, the other lead by Mary (I think) - cross paths in perfect mirror image of each other. It is played so straight that you could blink and miss it but that got the biggest laugh of the whole movie for me.

And just one quote:
Ed and Shaun sorting out which records to throw at the zombies:

Ed: Purple Rain?
Shaun: No.
Ed: Sign of the Times?
Shaun: Definitely not.
Ed: The Batman soundtrack?
Shaun: Throw it.

And the very final scene, not so very different from the opening one and yet ...

In short, a very funny movie, well acted and written with plenty of satire quietly thrown in there for good measure. I loved it.

Comments

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

Have you see Hot Fuzz?

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

Yes - very good movie.

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

It was fun, they're great filmakers!

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

The miniature village scene is a particular favourite of mine!

[electrcspacegrl.livejournal.com]

I need to see Shaun of the Dead again. It's been a while. You need to check out Spaced, if you haven't already. I saw the first 3 episodes, but it's hard to find out here.

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

nixygirl thrashes Spaced every time I speak to her - but I have never seen it.

[asgaja.livejournal.com]

Shaun of the Dead was most certainly one of the BEST surprises this year for me as far as movies goes. It's just brilliant!

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

It was released here very quietly and I never saw it at the movies. Thanks goodness for DVD's!