I wasn't expecting quite so much gore, blood, and death. I thought it would be more purely comedic, since the previews only showed comedic situations. So that part was a bit of a shock.
However, the comedy was dead-on (haha), the acting was top-notch, and boy did that mom look familiar. I swear I've seen her on BBC America.
Also, given the constant mocking of 'gingers' (red-heads) in British culture, it was doubly funny that the main character was one -- the stereotypical loser in life and in bed, when one day, he must shoulder extra responsibilities and Save the World. As bunnyohare said, in a mock booming voice, "... And a Ginger Shall Leeeead Them!!!"
Also, the touching pathos of the inevitable demise of the not-dad and the mum were effective because of how they were couched deftly in the comedy and the gore, in such a way that they stood out, all the more emotionally authentic for their trappings.
Finally, the ulitimate Springerization of the situation, the only way society had of coping with the horror, was funny in spite of not being original (mmmm, Austin Powers).
So I thought the movie had many outstanding aspects -- I just wish the marketing/preview folks had done a better job.
Christopher Walken was interviewed on Conan O'Brien and said he wanted to see a zombie movie where the main characters don't know there are zombies around. I hope someone introduces him to this movie.
I haven't seen "Shaun Of The Dead" yet, but loved "Spaced", the British series of rampages through popular culture (in the guise of a share-house sitcom) that starred Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson. It's available on DVD and worth watching.
And having not seen "Shaun Of The Dead" yet, my vote's still with "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind"... but I'm willing to be convinced...
What I liked about that: The movie actually manages to make it plausible that Shaun doesn't initially notice the zombies. (The non-zombie fakeouts in the first part of the movie were repeated two or three more times than was really funny, but I could forgive that.)
Also, the movie was obviously packed with references to, and affectionate imitations of, every zombie movie ever made, and I'm pretty sure I missed many of them since I am not a huge aficionado.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2004-10-22 01:27 am (UTC)However, the comedy was dead-on (haha), the acting was top-notch, and boy did that mom look familiar. I swear I've seen her on BBC America.
Also, given the constant mocking of 'gingers' (red-heads) in British culture, it was doubly funny that the main character was one -- the stereotypical loser in life and in bed, when one day, he must shoulder extra responsibilities and Save the World. As
Also, the touching pathos of the inevitable demise of the not-dad and the mum were effective because of how they were couched deftly in the comedy and the gore, in such a way that they stood out, all the more emotionally authentic for their trappings.
Finally, the ulitimate Springerization of the situation, the only way society had of coping with the horror, was funny in spite of not being original (mmmm, Austin Powers).
So I thought the movie had many outstanding aspects -- I just wish the marketing/preview folks had done a better job.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-22 06:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-22 09:09 am (UTC)Thanks.
Best Film Of The Year
Date: 2004-10-23 07:41 am (UTC)And having not seen "Shaun Of The Dead" yet, my vote's still with "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind"... but I'm willing to be convinced...
love,
Casey B
no subject
Date: 2004-10-24 04:06 pm (UTC)Also, the movie was obviously packed with references to, and affectionate imitations of, every zombie movie ever made, and I'm pretty sure I missed many of them since I am not a huge aficionado.