Many of you probably know Edgar Wright as the director of films like, well this one, Hot Fuzz, The World's End, and perhaps his most well-known Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Visually stunning and interesting pictures, which also showcase excellent physical comedy. Wright actually got his start co-creating the British sitcom Spaced, with future frequent collaborator (and best thing about the Star Trek reboot) Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, both of whom star as two strangers who pretend to be a couple to rent a flat (a British term for apartment). In the episode Art (aired October 8th, 1999), Pegg's character Tim, after consuming some amphetamines, hallucinates about actually killing zombies while playing Resident Evil 2. That's really the entire genesis of the film. Wright and Pegg realized they had a shared affinity for the classic Romero zombie flicks, and decided to create a parody/homage to the genre, starring Pegg and fellow Spaced co-star Nick Frost. It stars Stevenson in a minor role, and many other British TV actors (including Martin Freeman in a cameo). Wright had to take several TV directing jobs (and had to borrow money from friends), while shopping the concept (then called Tea Time of the Dead) to several studios. After securing a studio, filming commenced between May and July 2003. Released in 2004, it not only garnered critical acclaimed (listeners of BBC1 listed this as their second favorite film), but George A. Romero himself was so impressed that he cast Wright and Pegg as zombies in 2005's Land of the Dead. This film would be the first of the Cornetto trilogy (named for the Cornetto ice cream, which is featured in all three films. In this one, Shaun uses it to get over a hangover, a reference to how Wright himself once got over a hangover.)
Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 28 year old electronics salesman, having relationship problems with his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield). The two spend every date at Shaun's favorite pub, the Winchester, with Shaun slothish friend Ed (Nick Frost). Liz is forced to bring her two friends, David (Dylan Moran) and Dianne (Lucy Davis), to make up for this. He also has a sordid relationship with his step-father Phillip (Bill Nighy) Shaun promises Liz that he'll pick a much fancier restaurant their next date. However, after a particularly harsh day at work, he fails to get the reservation, and Liz breaks up with him. After a failed attempt to win her back, Shaun and Ed spend the night at the Winchester, and get very drunk. Drunk enough, that they don't notice the developing zombie apocalypse that Shaun had failed to notice earlier has become full-on. After Shaun and Ed fight off two zombies in their backyard, Shaun resolves to save both his mother (Penelope Wilson) and Liz, and wait out the crisis at the Winchester. Things don't go as planned.
As an Edgar Wright feature, you can expect very active cinematography. Every shot is dynamic and there are several subtle gags focused entirely on physical elements. The visual gags are very good, and gained a small laugh every time. Not that the dialogue is not also funny. Really, all a comedy needs to be is funny, and this is very funny. Not as funny as Hot Fuzz or The World's End, but still a solid comedy. One particular stand-out scene is when they take on a zombie to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now. Similarly, the build-up to the zombie apocalypse was very good. Shaun almost has that moment, when he realizes the world has changed... but keeps getting interrupted. Simon Pegg is, well, he's always good, as is Nick Frost, and both usually have excellent chemistry in any movie they're in. The other actors do well in this.
Honestly, not much is wrong with the film. Sometimes, the gags fall flat, or they repeat jokes that weren't really funny to begin with, but there are enough better gags that those don't run the film. It isn't as in your face as Hot Fuzz or Scott Pilgrim, and that's a flaw, because it would've been funnier had it taken more advantage of visual jokes. There are funny visuals, but there should've been more and more apparent.
As you could tell, there isn't much I could say about this, other than, "Really Good, really funny" If you like visual comedies, or you enjoyed Wright's other works, or want a good zombie parody, or just want a really good film, check this one out. And while you're at it, watch the rest of the Cornetto Trilogy (I consider Hot Fuzz the funniest movie I have ever seen, and The World's End is pretty good as well).
Next time, we go back to the underrated Quatermass franchise with Quatermass II.
Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 28 year old electronics salesman, having relationship problems with his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield). The two spend every date at Shaun's favorite pub, the Winchester, with Shaun slothish friend Ed (Nick Frost). Liz is forced to bring her two friends, David (Dylan Moran) and Dianne (Lucy Davis), to make up for this. He also has a sordid relationship with his step-father Phillip (Bill Nighy) Shaun promises Liz that he'll pick a much fancier restaurant their next date. However, after a particularly harsh day at work, he fails to get the reservation, and Liz breaks up with him. After a failed attempt to win her back, Shaun and Ed spend the night at the Winchester, and get very drunk. Drunk enough, that they don't notice the developing zombie apocalypse that Shaun had failed to notice earlier has become full-on. After Shaun and Ed fight off two zombies in their backyard, Shaun resolves to save both his mother (Penelope Wilson) and Liz, and wait out the crisis at the Winchester. Things don't go as planned.
As an Edgar Wright feature, you can expect very active cinematography. Every shot is dynamic and there are several subtle gags focused entirely on physical elements. The visual gags are very good, and gained a small laugh every time. Not that the dialogue is not also funny. Really, all a comedy needs to be is funny, and this is very funny. Not as funny as Hot Fuzz or The World's End, but still a solid comedy. One particular stand-out scene is when they take on a zombie to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now. Similarly, the build-up to the zombie apocalypse was very good. Shaun almost has that moment, when he realizes the world has changed... but keeps getting interrupted. Simon Pegg is, well, he's always good, as is Nick Frost, and both usually have excellent chemistry in any movie they're in. The other actors do well in this.
Honestly, not much is wrong with the film. Sometimes, the gags fall flat, or they repeat jokes that weren't really funny to begin with, but there are enough better gags that those don't run the film. It isn't as in your face as Hot Fuzz or Scott Pilgrim, and that's a flaw, because it would've been funnier had it taken more advantage of visual jokes. There are funny visuals, but there should've been more and more apparent.
As you could tell, there isn't much I could say about this, other than, "Really Good, really funny" If you like visual comedies, or you enjoyed Wright's other works, or want a good zombie parody, or just want a really good film, check this one out. And while you're at it, watch the rest of the Cornetto Trilogy (I consider Hot Fuzz the funniest movie I have ever seen, and The World's End is pretty good as well).
Next time, we go back to the underrated Quatermass franchise with Quatermass II.
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