Shaun of the Dead (2004) Review

 

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

It was due time to have another “scary” movie on here as October winds down.
Shaun of the Dead follows Shaun and his group of friends as they try to survive at the dawn of a zombie apocalypse.

Personally, this is one of the best horror comedies ever made. It’s timing, execution, and sheer crude British style of humor is perfect, from the opening scene, to the very end. It takes the classic zombie apocalypse story, draws it out in the eyes of our main characters, and takes you on a hilariously fun ride where everyone is already zombies, just going through the motions of life, to eating braaaiins. Edgar Wright is able to almost make a joke of the genre, while still following it’s rules, and making a genuinely funny and relatable movie. Shaun has no purpose, much like a lot of us at times, with the zombie apocalypse being his big break to prove his worth to himself, his mother, his ex-girlfriend, and to her disapproving friends.

It’s also no question that the pairing of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as a duo are absolute comedy gold. They bring such youthful, but slackerish energy to Shaun and Ed, that the whole first act is the world around them changing, and they’re too hungover to notice. Pegg brings an odd, one-upped level of maturity and drive that he didn’t have before, while Frost stays the same, if not even lazier. It’s their witty banter and inside jokes throughout that drive the film forward, making it about them and the rest of the cast trying to survive, while constantly being interrupted by zombies, which is a neat twist. We also get great performances by Kate Ashfield, Bill Nighy, and Lucy Davis, giving a great contrast in likes and dislikes with the people closest to Shaun.

It’s a cult classic and altogether, with it’s ridiculous kill sequences, big laughs, and emotional tear-jerk moments, it culminates into one of the best, most enjoyable zombie movies ever made, satirical or not.

9.2/10