Review of World War Z (2013) by Josh M — 05 Jul 2014

Finally got around to rewatching this. The first time I put it on, I got bored 15min in and turn it off. This, time, forced myself to watch it and as a whole, not much better than the next 100min, but passable. If you like the TV show, Walking Dead and the movie I am Legend (Will Smith, 2007) you'll like WWZ. It does seem to be inspired by 28 Days Later and Dawn of the Dead (2004), too.

Review Points.

- BY FAR my favorite aspect of the movie is the score. Marco Beltrami did such a great job for setting the dark, depressing, zombie-apocalypse vibe of WWZ. The music stands out so much. It reminded me a lot of the 28 Days Later in that regard.

- Probably the most disappointing aspect of the film, is probably it's biggest draw, Brad Pitt. He just doesn't work. I don't know how else to describe him. He doesn't feel believable in his role as the "Dad who saves the world." He looks like a fashion model that should be advertising sunglasses. I joke, obviously, but, it's hard to get past. They tried to put him as a family guy with lots of kids, when it would have been more appropriate to cast him as just another guy that comes to the world's rescue (a la the amazing 28 Days Later) I understand they needed the family aspect to increase the drama and create a Walking Dead (which will bring in the masses) but in all honesty, I hated the Walking Dead and would have loved to see the angle axed.

- Another disappointing part of WWZ is the lack of exposition. I know they wanted to throw the audience straight into the action (a la, for the 4th time mentioning, 28 Days Later), but it missed a giant opportunity to flesh out the characters and get us, the viewers, attached before they are thrown into the mayhem. Lane's (Pitt) backstory as a government hero was half-assed as a result.