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“Shaun of the Dead” (2004) directed by Edgar Wright.
(MF Title: “A comedic romp through the undead”)
Starring: Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Nick Frost, Lucy Davis and Dylan Moran.
Zombie Film Rating:

Summary: Shaun is a thirty-something trapped in a dead-end job (as an appliance salesman) who lives with his unemployed sometimes dope selling childhood friend (Ed) and who (to his girlfriends dismay) spends most of his time at the “Winchester” pub.

Shauns screw-up with the dinner arrangements (yet again) spells the end to his relationship with his girlfriend, who breaks up with him. Shaun retreats to the Winchester with his friend Ed, and they tie one on properly.

Stumbling home they are oblivious to the zombie shuffling down the street (who moans in synch with their rendition of White lines) except to register their disappointment that he missed his cues in the song.

The morning finds Ed and Shaun hung-over, and still oblivious to the zombie take-over that grips the city (One of my favorite scenes is the walk to the store, as Shaun walks between the undead and grabs a beverage from a blood smeared fridge in the store.. never once cluing in).

Eventually Shaun and Ed realize something is very, VERY wrong, and that the seemingly drunken idiots stumbling around are more a threat than a source of entertainment, and they forumate a plan to rescue Shauns girlfriend, his mother, kill his step father (who they learn has been bitten and will become a zombie) and to hole up in the Winchester until “it all blows over”.

The plan of course goes awry from the outset, and our group eventually (and luckily) finds themselves at the Winchester, discovering it is not quite the fortress they had imagined, and worse that they are well and truly surrounded by hundreds of zombies. Escape seems somewhat improbable at this point.

Critique: I liked this film. The soundtrack (starting out with “Ghost town” by the specials) is well thought out and features the best use of Queen in any movie. The film itself is entertaining (although this from an avowed zombie fanatic), well paced and has numerous comedic elements to keep everyone entertained over and over again. (just dealing the extras is hours and hours worth of entertainment, spread it out a bit so you don’t get sick of the movie)

I guess its quite clear that zombie movies are making a comeback, and this one was a welcomed change from the typical “gore and gun fest” that is typified in zombie films (there is one gun in this movie, excluding the brief army scene). I for one cannot wait for this to be released to DVD, where it can take a place of honor among my more “serious” zombie films…

Update: December 20th, 2004 - As a late addition, the DVD is well worth the cost, featuring numerous audio and subtitle tracks including (my personal favorite) the trivia subtitles. Well worth the cost.