Review of Shaun of the Dead (2004) by Bugger217 — 03 Sep 2017

Shaun of the Dead probably shouldn't work. It aims to be funny, dramatic, exciting, and totally brutal all at once. But it does work. Every element works like gangbusters, never feeling disjointed. It's brilliantly directed by Edgar Wright in his feature debut. It's edited in such a way that's full of energy and cuts all fat from the edges. The cast sells the comedy and the drama. The action is tense, and you truly feel as if the characters are in danger. You care if they live or die.

Wright and his co-writer Simon Pegg (who also stars in the film) clearly love the zombie genre, and they play around with its conventions in wonderfully hilarious ways, without ever making the film feel like a parody. The attention to detail is astounding. I've seen it countless times, and I discover something new with every viewing. An absolute blast from start to finish, this is one of the best zombie movies ever made.