Shawn of the Dead

Director Edgar Wright

Release 2004

Country Uk, France

Lenght 99 Minutes

Genre Comedy

IMDB 7.8

Setting Uk, one day before the outbreak

Type of Zombies Undead, killed by brain damage and

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Storyline

Shaun is an electronic salesman working in a store without any perspective of a promotion. He doesn´t even have a problem with his aimlessness because this gives him enough time to play video games with his mate and roommate Ed and live for the moment. This behavior is the reason why his stepfather thinks nothing of him and his girlfriend Liz dumped him. To get over his breakup, Ed drags him to their favorite pub to get drunk.

The next morning both wake up with a hangover. Pete their other roommate doesn´t seem to be at home because he has to work, even after getting bitten by a crackhead. Shaun's first thought after getting up is to go to the closest shop and buy some Cornetto. After a short walk where nothing extraordinary happens, he arrives back home finding Ed in front of the window. Outside in the garden is a woman that absolutely doesn´t want to cuddle but likes to eat a piece of delicious Shaun. This is the beginning of a long journey driven by familial bonds, love and most important finding a spot where you are allowed to smoke… and that is safe.

My opinion

“Shaun of the Dead” is one of the best zombie films for me. What makes it special is the reflection of our society in the behavior of the undead. We think we are free men but follow an everyday trot in which we roam like zombies, unable to break out.

Shaun is so stuck that he can’t even change for his girlfriend, which is the reason she leaves him. Only the apocalypse and the fear of the permanent loss of what is most important to him ensure that he gets his ass off the sofa and becomes active.

This is supported by the scenes and camera work. Close-ups to everyday situations highlighted with sounds point out that these things are the most exciting events that happen to him. The camera that before and at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse films the same settings, thereby underlining the similarity of everyday life of zombies and humans. However, this changes in the end to reflect his journey from an irresponsible child to a responsible man.

What also makes the film special is the interplay between Simon Pegg (Shaun) and Nick Frost (Ed). The humor shows no weaknesses throughout the whole film, whether zombie-killing tries with records, very valuable vinyl or stupid jokes. If you want to see more of the two, you should also watch the films “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End“, the “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy” with “Shaun of the Dead”, which also includes “Cornetto -Trilogy” is called form.

Good ideas	Close the door. (There are so many movies and shows where people are too stupid to close the door!!!) Weaponize everything you can. Kill your friend without a wink if he’s infected.
Locical error
Best scene	Trying to kill zombies with vinyl. The discussion of which one to choose. The end scene. Nice to see that Ed didn´t even change a little bit.
Zombiekill of the movie	Ammo in the fire starts shooting on itself and giving a headshot like a billiards player.

Fazit

One of the best or the best zombie comedies I have ever seen. Picks up a lot of elements from pop- and zombie pop culture and satirizes them.