You'd be forgiven for approaching this film with caution. One often does when a new British comedy comes along, hoping for the best but secretly fearing the worst. But with Shaun Of The Dead we needn't have worried.
Described as a rom-zom-com, or in everyday language, a comedy with zombies, it stars co-writer Simon Pegg and is directed by Edgar Wright. And they've done a tremendous job with both script and direction.
It's a comedy but it's also quite horror film to boot. And it's clear that whilst Pegg and Wright have comedy in the forefront of their minds that they have also set out to take us on a journey that involves a range of emotions. Most interesting is the surprisingly well timed pathos as the characters are forced to kill or be killed.
The characters are all believable, the most distinctive being Shaun who makes a personal journey of self-discovery, from general layabout, to unlikely leader and ultimately a heroic figure.
Nick Frost and Lucy Davis contribute with good performances although Davis' character fails to feel unique as it's very similar to her character from The Office. In fact when Andrew Lincoln cameos, you almost expect her to run off with him.
Hopefully this year's Hot Fuzz will be just as brilliant.
Comedy genius. This film needs to be watched multiple times to appreciate all the subtleties.
The first half basically being a rehearsal for the second half.
And the classic lines:
'You've got red on you'.
'The first one'
Etc. Etc.
Good to watch for escapism and entertainment when your mind doesnt want to concentrate too hard.