Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Directed by: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg

***1/2

I've been criticized for taking living dead type movies too seriously (i.e. Evil Dead, Army of Darkness). While I'm not a fan of either of those movies, I do in a sense, understand the comedy aspect of them. Part of the issue I have with them is that they don't blend their intentions to not be taken seriously, while being a seriously suspenseful/frightening movie. I don't bring this up to knock Sam Raimi but rather to preface what Shaun of the Dead does so perfectly.

The first time I saw Shaun of the Dead, I was so pleasently surprised that I've plugged it ever since. Now, some years later, I finally watched it for a second time. Again, I was not disappointed with the consistent humor that while occasionally in your face, was still subtle enough to maintain the other aspects of the film. The humor is the most memorable part of the film and because of that, I had forgotten that there really are elements of suspense and fright scattered throughout. And hence, a movie that has seriously suspenseful/frightening elements all while not taking itself seriously at all.

For such a simple concept, Shaun of the Dead is a very smart movie. There are times when it goes a little bit too low brow but even then, jokes like the fart jokes still work (a credit to the comedic talents of both Simon Pegg and Nick Frost).  What serperates Shaun of the Dead is that is doesn't just scare us with zombies or make us laugh by Shaun and Ed's obliviousness but it is really a good story of relationships and what's really important. When the TV anchor is telling everyone not to leave their homes, Shaun ignores this in a quick cutting montage as he explains to Ed his plan... Save his mother from his zombie stepdad, go get his girlfriend back and go somewhere safe, which turns out to be the Winchester Bar (the route of so many of his problems). It happens often in films, but Shaun of the Dead portrays "the big problem gives our antagonist the incentive to solve his smaller ones" theme very well.

There really wasn't a lot to dislike about this movie but that doesn't suggest that it was void of problems. Shaun's friend Mary is introduced very structurely however turns out to be relatively pointlessly. Additionally, she also takes away some of the suspense. Her introduction, followed by her second appearence suggests somewhat obviously that she will return for some purpose eventually. As the film nears an end, he purpose becomes more and more evident. The film does a pretty good job disguising this with clever jokes like having Mary's group of survivors look exactly like Shaun's group... a bizarro group so to speak, but essentially, it was all unnecessary. Not to give too much away but Shaun is our hero, we don't need someone else to come along to help him regardless of whether or not Shaun is a non-heroic like human being. What's important is that he changes and realizes what's important in his life and puts that first.

Having never been a fan of zombie movies, I really enjoy this spoof on them. The idea that a zombie movie can not take itself seriously and still be good enforces my opinion that there is no such thing as a movie is so bad its good because its funny (which is my only explanation for the popularity of the Evil Dead films). Again, this is not a knock on Raimi... or maybe it is. Edgar Wright (who?) made a way better zombie movie than the great Sam Raimi.