Film Review: Shaun of the Dead

Director: Edgar Wright

The film that launched Simon Pegg's movie career in 2004 is a comedy horror film about a zombie apocalypse attacking suburban London. Previously Pegg made his name in TV comedies Spaced and Big Train whilst also appearing in some UK films like The Parole Officer but only in small roles. The film received great acclaim from the likes of Quentin Tarantino and George A. Romero upon its release. The film is the first in Wright and Pegg's Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, followed by 2007's Hot Fuzz and 2013's The World's End.

Ed (Nick Frost) and Shaun (Simon Pegg)

Shaun lives in a house with lazy slob Ed and the more serious Pete (Peter Serafinowicz) whilst having a tough relationship with his father in-law Phillip (Bill Nighy) and also having problems with his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield). Early on Shaun and Ed continue their daily lives oblivious to the threat of the zombies that have started to take over the streets to feast on the remaining humans but they take immediate action once they realise the danger they are in, by going to the pub.

Zombies 

A film that manages to satisfy casual film viewers as well as hardcore horror fans. I actually saw Hot Fuzz before I got round to seeing Shaun of the Dead and feel that despite different subject matters they had a lot in common, with the latter Hot Fuzz clearly having the bigger budget. But the earlier Pegg film is clearly the more impressive and original with a smarter sense of humour. The ending is a bit disappointing after a frantic middle act as the final battle is a little long in coming and becomes rather predictable. Combining two difficult genre's and making both work is a big ask but on both counts Shaun of the Dead succeeds.

3/4 Fun take on the zombie genre