Don't say the Z-word!!! (Shaun Of The Dead (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Shaun Of The Dead (DVD)
Date:	06/11/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clever comedy, well acted and filmed, special effects

Disadvantages: Nothing really

The comedy duo of Nicke Frost and Simon Pegg haven't really done things the conventional way a double act get themselves known. Their puerile and silly style of comedy has been well accepted for being innovative and different, and the two of them have done really well.

Pegg is perhaps the better known, and really it is he who stars here, as Shaun. Generally miserable, and unlucky in love, Shaun suddenly finds himself the unlikely hero when everyone starts turning into zombies. Taking its plug from Dawn of the Dead, it parodies the film without giving it a typical (and annoying) US parody, with elements of it trying to be serious and following a well scripted bunch of efforts from some recognisable British talent.

First, though, it must be said that Nick Frost is as good as Pegg in terms of the impact he makes on the film. In a way, his bumbling sidekick role makes me laugh more than Pegg's clever Shaun. Bill Nighy, Rob Brydon and Lucy Davis also give good turns, and in fact, I found it hard to find a bad turn throughout the film. You get a little bit of Martin Freeman, a smidgeon of Matt Lucas, a generous helping of Penelope Wilton, and a bunch of other as well. The acting works partly due to the fact that it needs to be a bit loose for the film to actually work, and this is the main appeal from the cast.

The special effects are quite well done, with the simplistic way the zombies are done, with fake blood and heavy makeup, being more effective than most zombie films I have seen. There is a tendency, in all cinema, to go overboard, and it is quite refreshing to see a film that doesn't try and do too much with the special effects. This can often have an adverse result, making things seem overly fake, but Shaun of the Dead nails it on the head.

Sure, there are lots of silly moments, and when it comes to holing up somewhere safe, as they do in the mall in Dawn of the Dead, Shaun choosing the local pub is no surprise, and very typical of the style of film we are faced with. I found it typified the very British manner in which everything is presented, and was a key part to keeping it down to earth and not letting it get above itself.

Overall, Shaun of the Dead is an enjoyable and clever horror zombie parody. It is well scripted, acted and filmed, and is well worth a watch.

Summary: Clever rom zom com from Pegg and Frost