Tag Archives: apocalypse

World War Z

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Director: Marc Forster

Writer: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, Damon Lindelof

Based On: Novel (World War Z) by Max Brooks

Starring: Brad Pitt, Daniella Kertesz

Tomatometer: 67/71/86 (all critics, top critics, audience)

Spoiler-free Summary: Brad Pitt’s family witnesses the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.  Luckily, Brad used to be a secret agent for the UN, so his family is rescued by the Navy.  Of course, there’s a catch.  Brad must help the government track down the source of the outbreak and develop a cure.  Brad is extremely good-looking, throughout.

Two Cents: As is stated in Ecclesiastes 1:9, there is nothing new in the zombie genre.  That’s a direct quote.

If I told you I were writing a zombie movie, you’d know the plot before I finished my sente.  There are zombies, they’re eating humans, humans need a cure, and someone finds a cure.  Warm Bodies added new life (pun intended) to the genre by telling the story from a zombie’s point of view, but that’s about all the innovation we’ve seen in some time.

Sadly, World War Z, doesn’t break the mold.  Yes, there’s some superb action, and the zombies are more terrifying than those in many other movies, but the overall product is far from unique.  That being said, it’s still an entertaining movie, and Pitt’s Gerry is a likable (though, slightly bland) character.

Forster has done a better job than most at showing the zombie apocalypse on a global scale.  Gerry does quite a bit of traveling, finding new clues and helpers along the way.  Forster also gives plenty of well-deserved props to female Israeli soldiers, the paradigm of human badassery.

Should I/Shouldn’t I: Of this year’s highly anticipated blockbusters, World War Z is one of the best, so far.  The zombies are scary, the action is solid, and there’s enough suspense to keep you entertained for 115 minutes.  If you’re looking for something groundbreaking, you won’t find it.  However, you will appreciate the care and skill that went into making one of the most entertaining and visually stunning zombie films.

Sundae Rating: Two scoops with whipped cream

Warm Bodies

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Director: Jonathan Levine

Writer: Jonathan Levine

Based On: Novel (Warm Bodies) by Isaac Marion

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Rob Corddry

Tomatometer: 78/65/82 (all critics, top critics, audience)

Spoiler-free Summary: I had a feeling Nicholas Hoult was brain-dead.  What other excuse could he have for breaking up with Jennifer Lawrence?  As it turns out, he’s just regular dead (no heartbeat), but his brain still works.  Hoult’s character, R, is a miserable zombie who desperately wants to rejoin the human race.  His life is boring, he hasn’t quite gotten used to eating human flesh, and his only meaningful relationship consists of a few daily grunts exchanged with Rob Corddry’s M.  Enter Julie, a stunner from (possibly) Earth’s final remaining human settlement.  As Hoult begins to fall for Julie, played by Aussie beauty Palmer, he finds himself slowly regaining his humanity.  Unfortunately, he’s got to prove himself to Julie, who just happens to be the daughter of the de facto King of the human race, a zombie-hating John Malkovich.

Two Cents: We all know that the paranormal romance genre is getting a bit (read: extremely) out of hand.  However, I found it refreshing to see a fresh take on the concept of human hottie falls for non-human hottie against all odds.  This film was so different, and so self-deprecating (including a sarcastic comparison with Romeo and Juliet), that I didn’t mind the whole zombie thing at all.  Seeing the apocalypse from the POV of a zombie was interesting, as well, especially a zombie who still has an appreciation for great music (on vinyl).

Hoult is about to become a huge star (and he might be able to make his success longer than Taylor Kitsch’s did), so take notice.  He’ll be appearing in Jack the Giant Slayer and the next X-Men movie (along with his old flame, J-Law).  Palmer may just be the flavor of the week, but she’s got some talent, and a face that can put butts in seats (imagine a much better looking Kristen Stewart, plus a sweet accent).  I keep asking myself how the heck John Malkovich ended up in this movie, but I’m not complaining.  Now that he barely makes any movies, it’s always nice to get a glimpse of him.  I was hoping for a little more humor than I got from Rob Corddry, but it was nice to see him take on one of his more challenging roles.

Should I/Shouldn’t I: Feel free to wait for this movie to hit HBO.  Once it does, romance and rom-com fans will eat it up.  Comedy and action fans will not find much of that for which they are hoping.

Sundae Rating: Two scoops with whipped cream