"Shaun of the Dead" Rises Above Both Comedy and Horror! (Shaun Of The Dead (DVD))

Member Name: BTlover

Product:	Shaun Of The Dead (DVD)
Date:	08/12/07 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comedy is absolutely fantastic. Acting is pure into the romantic moments. Simon Pegg - a real actor

Disadvantages: Not for the little kiddies, of course

So, what do you get when you combine zombies, two roommates who love to get drunk and tipsy everyday, a love interest of the main roommate, parental problems, comedic events, and a kick-ass slice of fried gold? You got one of the funniest horrific romantic movies ever made.

Shaun of the Dead is a very interesting movie in that it's almost like what some real life bits would be if under the attack and distressful moments of a zombie outbreak. After all, what's worse than surviving a zombie outbreak? Well, for starters, attempting to come to a better thread with a girlfriend, trying not to agonize over your embarrassing parents, and finding yourself in rather odd situations throughout the rest of the event. Shaun, essentially, represents every other human being who could actually take a stand. Ed is almost like the sarcastic sidekick you'd no doubt have, spouting off lines like it's a cool movie (such irony..). But, let me make a better summary.

Shaun is living the average normal life of a human being. A crappy job, a girlfriend who is losing hope in him, parents that he's ashamed of, and even the roommate who tries to help by getting themselves completely smashed. However, after an absolutely atrocious day, the zombie setting finally arises from the dead-beat genre it was before. But, for a while, Shaun and Ed don't realize this, which makes for some rather shocking and hilarious scenes. Even when they DO realize this, they frantically throw things, including Shaun's music records to attempt to decapitate the attacking zombies ("The Batman Soundtrack?" "Throw it..."). But, the rest of movie is a nice ride of emotions, twisting all around with humor, sadness, and "YEAH!", with Shaun and Ed attempting to save their friends and family (Ed is fond of Shaun's mom, after all).

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, both men from British television show Spaced, continue to act, not only as actors, but as two people who truly are friends. Their comedy together is absolutely fantastic, making this movie continuous laughs until the end. Of course, seeing as this movie also has angst and romance, Pegg acts as if his life really is coming to the end, for all of these things happening at once are making him feel like it's all his fault. Absolutely perfect image-capturing there.

As far as movies go, this was quite the experiment. But, director Edgar Wright does it in the only it could have been done. And he knew that. Shaun of the Dead, for it's zombie-bashing, laugh-blasting, and tear-gushing action, gets a 5 from me. :)

T.B.C. - Watch for my future review of "Hot Fuzz".

Summary: Feel like comedy, romance, and horror all in one? Take Shaun of the Dead.