Rating: 2.25/5
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Overrated. Overhyped. Underwhelming. I haven't seen a movie fail to
live up to the hype this much since The Blair Witch Project. Remember
how it was supposed to be the scariest movie of all time? Then do you
remember sitting in the theater cheering for the witch to kill off the
three crybabies who kept fussing over a stupid map?
Well, if you go into Shaun of the Dead expecting one of the funniest
movies of the year and a masterpiece in the spoof genre, then you're
going to be very disappointed as you stare at the screen and wonder
when the humor will start. Please don't believe any of the reviewers
claiming it's "a laugh-a-minute." The only way that would be possible
is if you're referring to the trailer. It took almost 30 minutes
before the FIRST laugh ever came.
That's not an exaggeration. About the first 30 minutes of the story
are spent showing us how much of a slacker Shaun is and how
irresponsible he is in his relationship with Liz. I guess this is all
supposed to make us like him more when he decides to save Liz and
everybody around him from the zombies. Doesn't work. I was just
sitting there bored out of my mind waiting for something, anything to
happen.
The best I can possibly say about this movie is it's merely OK. I
think a viewer's enjoyment will be largely based on his perception
going into the movie. After watching the trailer, I was expecting an
all-out comedy/parody. And there are a few funny moments (for example,
Shaun and his friend act somewhat nonchalantly towards the zombies at
first as they use cricket bats and old LPs to do battle), but most of
the humor can be found in the trailer.
The main problem with Shaun of the Dead is it has major identity
conflict. It doesn't know what it wants to be. It spoofs the zombie
genre for a bit, but then we have to sit through emotional moments
that put a damper on everything. I thought this was supposed to be a
comedy, so why do I have to sit through a scene with Shaun crying
while trying to make decisions about what to do to certain people who
have turned into zombies?
And then you have some pretty graphic moments that make it seem like
the movie wants to have a legitimate horror movie feel. This doesn't
work because the movie isn't the least bit scary. The result is the
movie doesn't know exactly what it wants to be. For that reason, I
think the mainstream American audience won't connect with it.
The people this will connect with the most are the coffeehouse artsy
types who'll love discussing the social commentary. But for me, the
social commentary is about as effective as shaving with a rubber band.
Exactly. Way too much time is dedicated to trying to show us that we
all live zombie-like lives. We sit glaze-eyed in front of the TV
playing video games, we all follow our own little cliques, we head to
work in the same routine every day. Yeah, that's great. You could've
expressed that point in a single sentence.
There are a handful of funny and clever moments (particularly the
end), but I would've liked to have seen more "shock value" moments
played for laughs. Unfortunately, Shaun of the Dead looks to be
throwing ideas against the wall to see what sticks. Plus, the film
makers are apparently in love with repetition. I hear the wedding is
in April. For example, the camera pans up from someone's feet as he
stumbles about. We see the figure yawning and making a weird sound.
Oh, it's Shaun. Look, he's acting like a zombie! How cute. Apparently
a critic somewhere must've laughed insanely during a press screening,
so they decided it'd be great to repeat this gag. ONCE WAS ENOUGH!
And please don't tell me I just don't understand British humor. Folks,
I get the joke, it just ain't that funny. If this is the best the
British have to offer these days in regard to comedy, then I've never
been prouder to be an American.
THE GIST
I have no desire to see this again, and I certainly won't recommend
it. If you're looking for some good British comedy then I highly
recommend checking out John Cleese's Fawlty Towers. But if you're in
the mood to chuckle once or twice during a movie and then fight the
temptation to fall asleep, then Shaun of the Dead will fill that bill.
Let me put it as bluntly as I possibly can: Don't believe the hype.
Johnny Betts
http://www.themoviemark.com
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