Shaun of the Dead
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Release Date: 2004
This film would be my template if I were ever to write a zombie romantic comedy as successful as this one. From the minds of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, this hysterical zombie feature about surviving a zombie apocalypse while having relationship issues is so unique and memorable that you can't just watch it one time.
Shaun and Liz have been dating for a long time and she wants excitement in her life. More than just going to the Winchester Tavern for drinks with Shaun. When Shaun fails in making dinner reservations at a new place, Liz dumps him, the day before this disease befalls the world population. Shaun loves Liz so his mission is to make sure Liz and his mum are safe before holing up in a secure location. Of course, conflict arises at every possible moment to save themselves from the zombies in the streets.
There are two gorgeously executed long takes in which we follow Shaun into a convenience store and we are invited to his routine before and after the zombies have overrun the city. These long takes were the best way to establish Shaun's absent-mindedness about the world before and after zombies. I still marvel at how seamless these shots were. And they held great comedic moments as well.
Speaking of comedic moments, so much of the dialogue is cheeky and at times on the nose but yet aren't obnoxious in a way when plot elements are shoved in your face. At one point, someone says, "It's not the end of the world" but we all know it is and this is funny! I love the line and pretty much everything about this film.
The actors were hilarious in almost every shot. It helped that Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright had worked together previously on the TV show Spaced so the creative collaboration really showed us something special, different, and unique that I hadn't seen before (and still haven't) in horror.
After this film was released in 2004, there have been numerous films that have compared themselves to Shaun of the Dead years after. This film created a new genre: zombie romantic comedy.
Honestly, if you haven't seen this already, treat yourself by watching a throwback picture from Simon Pegg and his crew. You won't be disappointed.
Shaun and Liz have been dating for a long time and she wants excitement in her life. More than just going to the Winchester Tavern for drinks with Shaun. When Shaun fails in making dinner reservations at a new place, Liz dumps him, the day before this disease befalls the world population. Shaun loves Liz so his mission is to make sure Liz and his mum are safe before holing up in a secure location. Of course, conflict arises at every possible moment to save themselves from the zombies in the streets.
There are two gorgeously executed long takes in which we follow Shaun into a convenience store and we are invited to his routine before and after the zombies have overrun the city. These long takes were the best way to establish Shaun's absent-mindedness about the world before and after zombies. I still marvel at how seamless these shots were. And they held great comedic moments as well.
Speaking of comedic moments, so much of the dialogue is cheeky and at times on the nose but yet aren't obnoxious in a way when plot elements are shoved in your face. At one point, someone says, "It's not the end of the world" but we all know it is and this is funny! I love the line and pretty much everything about this film.
The actors were hilarious in almost every shot. It helped that Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright had worked together previously on the TV show Spaced so the creative collaboration really showed us something special, different, and unique that I hadn't seen before (and still haven't) in horror.
After this film was released in 2004, there have been numerous films that have compared themselves to Shaun of the Dead years after. This film created a new genre: zombie romantic comedy.
Honestly, if you haven't seen this already, treat yourself by watching a throwback picture from Simon Pegg and his crew. You won't be disappointed.
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