Shaun of the Dead (2004) - Film Review

Edgar Wright’s 2004 Zombie flick SHAUN OF THE DEAD is not only a gore infested look at the ever-unpleasant world of zombies, it is also a cleverly funny, intelligently made, and wonderfully acted piece of cinematography. We see the zombies from a whole new angle. Yes, they are flesh chomping, slow-moving dead people but moreover in SHAUN OF THE DEAD they are seen as a mild irritation, not only are they eatin’ folk but they are getting in the way of the mundane everyday lives of Shaun and Ed (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost). This is one to watch for so many reasons, if you haven’t already seen it, do so. And if you have, watch it again ‘cos every time I see it I enjoy it more and more!

Reality for Shaun is having a drink in his favourite pub, the Winchester, with his best mate Ed. Stumbling into bed, and back out again to go to his boring job…all the while trying to cling on to his relationship with his much more ambitious girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield). So when London is taken over by the undead, who stumble and stagger their way to their next meal of human flesh, Shaun
doesn’t even notice.  So predictable is his life that he simply goes through the motions without even glancing up. This alone is comic genius and hilarious to watch, as Shaun goes about his business while surrounded by scenes of devastation without so much as blinking.

When Shaun and Ed realise that the staggering ‘drunk’ girl in their garden is not what she first seemed, they hatch a plan to save Shaun’s mum, step-dad, and girlfriend and hold up in the Winchester while the whole nasty zombie thing blows over. Armed with only a cricket bat, Shaun sets out to save the day. He is not terrified or angry or any of the other things one would expect. No, Shaun is slightly cross that his life has been disrupted by these dead people and it’s such a joy to watch as Shaun leads a rather diverse band of survivors towards The Winchester!

The Chemistry between Simon Pegg as Shaun and Nick Frost as Ed is priceless, not many films are as effortlessly entertaining as Shaun of The Dead. It has its sick moments too and each is as pleasurable as the other. Shaun of The Dead has lots to offer, not least perfectly cast actors doing their job incredibly well throughout. But for me the most important ingredients of all are the likeability factor of the two main characters and the charming realism that they portray…a wonderful slice of entertainment, and that’s what the movies are all about!!

SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004). Director: Edgar Wright. Writer: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright. Cast: Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, nick Frost, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Nicola Cunningham, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton.

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