Blog #30 Shaun of the Dead Movie Review

Details

Director: Edgar Wright, who also directed: Hot Fuzz (2007) and The World’s End (2013), as well as the cult-favorite British comedy series Spaced (Channel 4 1999-2001). Mr. Wright also wrote the script for the Marvel Universe blockbuster “Ant Man” (2015).^1,2

Screenwriter: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright

Production Company: Universal Pictures, WT², StudioCanal, Big Talk, Working Title Films

Rating: R (Language|Gore|Zombie Violence)

Genre: Comedy, Horror

Release Date (Theaters): Apr 9, 2004, Original

Release Date (Streaming): Jul 23, 2013

Box Office (Gross USA): $13.5M¹

Starring

Simon Pegg played Shaun. Mr. Pegg was also the star of the popular twenty-something slacker sitcom “Spaced” (Channel 4, 1999, 2001), chief engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in J.J. Abrams’ retelling of the “Star Trek” (2009), Graeme Willy in Paul 2011 which he also wrote the script for, Gary King in World’s End 2013 and also Screenwriter and Executive Producer, and played the Curator Ogden Morrow in Ready Player One 2018.³

Nick Frost played Ed. He also played Clive Gollings in Paul 2011 and was one of the Screenwriters, played Declan Orrun in the TV series The Nevers 2021, and Santa Claus in Dr. Who 2014.⁴

Lucy Davis played Diane. She also starred as Etta in Wonder Woman 2017.⁵

Bill Nighy played Phillip. Mr. Nighy also played Mathias in Total Recall 2012, Slartibartfast in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 2005, Thomas Newton in The Man Who Fell to Earth 2022, Dr. Black in Dr. Who 2010, and the Vampire Elder Viktor in Underworld 2003 and the sequels.⁶

Peter Serafinowicz played Pete. Mr. Serafinowicz also played Denarian Saalin in Guardians of the Galaxy 2014.⁷

Illustration Photo 2 Shaun and Ed chillin’

Synopsis

Shaun is a young, going-nowhere guy who works in an appliance store. He spends his free time playing video games with his no-good roommate, Ed, and hanging out at his favorite pub with Ed and girlfriend, Liz. When Liz puts her foot down and wants a change, just then, the zombie plague hits, and Shaun rises to save the day.

Positives

Well written. It’s not a surprise; Simon Pegg is known for great movies. Some very clever parts evolve on the zombie plague theme. While re-watching the film, I noticed something new: when Shaun’s crew makes their way to the pub, they run into another group trying to escape/survive. As they pass each other, each says hello to what turns out to be their counterparts. The leader and significant other (like Shaun, and is an uncredited Martin Freeman), a couple (like roommates of girlfriend Liz’s), and an overstuffed bum (Ed-like).

It is a parody much like Mars Attacks 1996 and Galaxy Quest 1999 and a delightful mix of silliness and gore. The humor is what makes it so enjoyable for me.

Illustration 3 Shaun of the Dead movie poster

Negatives

Most of the time, I don’t like horror. That aspect of this film is my least favorite. In addition I don’t want to review anything so successful. Still, it is very quirky, and many who love science fiction may have missed it. Zombie lore is a subgenre of science fiction, and you may not consider it scifi but I say it is worth a peek.