Shaun of the Dead Review
Published February 17, 2005
A quick perusal of IMDB's list of trivia for this film will show plenty of references to nearly every zombie film imaginable. I consider myself a fan of zombie films, but these guys must be nuts about them. They've set up multiple scenes that are exact homage to older films. They've lifted lines right out of the classics of the genre. I must say that while reading the list I became more impressed with what the filmmakers created with this picture, but while watching it most of the references went over my head. As I said, I like zombie movies. They're gorey, violent, bloody and often hilarious (intentional or otherwise). I have seen more than my fair share of good and awful zombie flicks. Yet here, most of the references were naught caught by me. I can't exactly fault a film for referencing so many other films, yet I have to wonder who but the diehard zombie fanatic caught them.
My biggest complaint with the film is that it is too comedic, without being funny enough. What I mean by that is that the production is made like a comedy. The actors play their parts as if they are in a comedy and not the horrible zombie addled situation that is scripted. Sure, there are a few moments of anguished screaming and fear, but those are over acted and far between. The story is truly frightening, the dead of came to life and are devouring the city. This is not a light hearted romp. Though often quite funny, zombie films play the situation straight. I felt let down that everyone was playing the situation for gags and not allowing the comedy to be more organic, or to flow out of the conventions of the genre itself. In the end I didn't find the movie funny enough for all that. It was played for humor all the way through, yet I wasn't laughing nearly enough. Some of this comes from not getting all the "in" jokes. Some of this is also, likely enough, because it is a British comedy at heart. There are a number of bits that seem to play better for the British sensibilities than my American in France heart. There were several moments that I could see the joke play out and "get" it, but it wasn't enough to really make me laugh. This is not to say the movie isn't funny. Because it is, often hilarious even. It's just that the tone of the film was of great comedy, and the buzz I had heard matched this. Yet while watching it, I didn't find it as funny as expected.
Mat Brewster is an American stumbling as an ex-pat through the streets of Shanghai. He is helped by his lovely wife and an enormous piles of bootleg DVDs. He is chronicling his adventures in the Shanghai Diaries and musing on pop culture at The Midnight Cafe.
- Shaun of the Dead Review
- Published: February 17, 2005
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- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Comedy, Video: Horror
- Writer: Mat Brewster
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Comments on this articleComments
Sorry, I loved the comedy aspect. I guess I'm less a fan of the zombie genre than you gents, but I've been describing SotD as my favorite "romantic comedy... with zombies!"
By that standard, I think it's brilliant from beginning to end.
"Kill the Queen!"
thanks Mat! sounds like the consensus is I better check this out
I'm actually more of a comedy fan than horror/zombie, Phillip. But I think Mat is right on in saying that because the film plays for the shallow gag in the final hour as people are being (basically) eaten and hacked to death (or un-death), it makes the viewing a more shallow -- and ultimately less funny or memorable -- experience.
On the other hand, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle goes for the shallow sight gag throughout and ends up being a joyous ride. The writing is brilliant, the situations very contemporary, and stakes (chicks, burgers) are much lower, so that tonal style works much better in that case.
Hmmm, I see what you mean, Eric. And yes, I was surprised by Harold and Kumar, which was great.
But I guess I'm thinking that had Shaun not played it light, it would have been too heavy. I mean, dude, well, I don't want to give too big a spoiler here in the comments, but there are some serious downers at the end of the movie, you know? Oedipal issues and all that.
Anyway, yes, EO, you should see it.
Philip -- You're absolutely right in that striking a balance in a comedy/horror flick is an extremely hard thing to do. Therefore, all in all, I think Shaun is fairly good, definitely watchable, but not great.
By the way -- There are several characters from The Office in Shaun, which is fun for anyone who is a fan of that brillian show.
I've not seen Harold and Kumar, but I know that it is strictly a comedy. SofD is a spoof of a subgenre. A good spoof should also be a good version of the genre being spoofed. Here, though, the filmmakers are obviously fans of zombie movies, I felt that they lightened it up too much. It could have still been funny while retaining the horror. Add a little more violence/gore but maintain the references and you've got a better picture.
That is not to say this is a bad film. I liked it quite a bit, but it is not a great picture.
Evil Dead II, now thats a great picture.
Mat - You're right, Evil Dead II works as both horror movie and comedy, and that's what makes it great.
I think the original Scream did a good job of mixing horror and comedy as well.
shaun of the dead is an ace film!!! i cant believe people are sayign that there needed to be more gore. it was perfectly done.
go on google, and type in Spaced. it's the sitcom that Shaun of the Dead was based on. i promise you, it's really funny.
take it easy!
I'm not sure if gore (as in blood and guts) is really the right word. Though I am a fan of gore. Look at movies like Evil Dead II and Sream. Both are funny, and spoofs of sorts, but both play it straight. Bruce Cambell having a possessed hand that beats him with plates until he cuts it off may be over the top and hilarious, but the way he acts the scene is perfectly straight. The guys in SotD always seem to be winking at the audience as if to say, none of this is really happening but aint we cute!
I suspect I might have laughed harder if I were familiar with the television show. I'll try to seek it out, for I hear its quite funny.
wanna see a 7 minute, sarcastic as hell short film about zombies? see it here:
http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2677439
shaun pegg is a paedophile so do not watch his movies
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Really nice review, Mat. My opinion is very close to yours. I found the first 25 minutes or so fairly close to brilliant -- the way in which they strung out Sean's realization that the zombies were coming while his character's story developed was nothing short of great.
After the record tossing scene, the movie devolved into so so comedy. In the end, it's a nice film, but not a great one.
Evil Dead 2 is my vote for the best comedy/horror flick of all time. It somehow manages to be really funny and really scary -- sometimes at the same time. Unlike Sean, Ash is playing it for real (brilliantly portrayed by brilliant over-actor supreme Bruce Campbell) which helps to draw the audience into the story. The more you care, the more you can be scared... and laugh.