Shaun of the Dead Review
Published February 17, 2005
While thinking about this review I began to wonder how I would make a zombie spoof better. It wouldn't be right to go the Zucker brothers way. I got over that type of comedy in junior high, and the genre (well the horror genre which zombie movies are a sub-genre of) has been spoofed in this way enough (see Scary Movie). Slap stick spoofs were perfected by Sam Raimi in the Evil Dead series. In the end I decided that what the filmmakers were trying to do with this film is exactly the way to do it. I just think they missed the mark a little. I think I was partially disappointed because the genre itself has produced enough unintentional humor. Zombie movies are so often insanely bad, they are great fun. It is difficult to spoof a convention when the convention itself is so awful it seems a spoof unto itself. Likewise some of the conventions such as the ineptness and slow walk of the zombies has been revamped by the likes of Danny Boyle. Instead, here, I would have preferred a darker, bloodier movie. I don't believe this would have hurt the comedy. The references and homages could have stayed in tact and comedy could come out of horrific situations.
Shaun of the Dead is a fine movie. It spoofs a genre of film that is dear to my heart, yet remains firmly a fan of the genre. It references so many of the classics and non classics of the genre that you'll need encyclopedic knowledge of zombies to catch them all. It is truly funny and makes a great party movie. Where it fails, it fails as a zombie movie. It is made for jokes and not scares, and there it falls a little flat for a good spoof. But certainly worth the price of the rental
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
- Type:
- 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.