Review of World War Z (2013) by James W — 25 Jul 2014

No gimmicks just all out thrills, World War Z feels real thanks to seamless cast performances and a more convincing approach to Zombie creation. This movie wastes no time getting started and literally bursts to life within the first five minutes!

The scale is incredible as this movie ventures across the globe, and Marc Forster's tense direction keeps the pace rocketing! Former U.N Worker Gerry Lane narrowly escapes Philadelphia with his Wife and two daughters after hoardes and hoardes of undead fill the streets. Taking refuge onboard a military carrier he is forced back into the U.N to uncover a possibly solution to stopping the infection, but how can you stop an infection that is worldwide? I missed this at the cinema, nearly everybody I know went and saw it and absolutely loved it, saying it was the best they'd seen all year. So I'm a few months late viewing it but I'm very glad I caught WWZ, it's a jaw dropper! These Zombies seem smarter and more aggressive unlike most undead flicks, I love that they hoard together and scatter and run at terrifying speeds, it's as if they run in desperation. The best sequence sees the undead scramble the walls of Jerusalem and fall but eventually break through, the suspense here is insane, it's the highlight of the movie as Israel falls. Now everybody loves a good plane sequence in a movie, in this one the ferocity of the crash and the attack is teeth gritting as the living try to keep away from the infection, this whole scene is frightening and would most likely put you off a flight if you had one coming up. Plus it's the only time you'll see someone use a live grenade onboard a flight. It's arguable the 3D here is unnecessary but that's only in a few scenes involving briefings and meetings, everything else looks exceptional in the third dimension. The depth is city streets, aerial shots of landscapes and even dimly lit corridors the 3D is immersive, the Jerusalem sequence is amazing as Zombie bodies literally fly out the screen, but if you watch this in 2D the visuals are already impressive anyway. Every detail is vivid and sharp, look closely as the cluster of zombies crashing into each other in the Israel sequence and you'll be amazed at the detail. All the aerial shots that sweep across destroyed landscapes will guaranteed leave your jaw on the floor, explosions erupt in the distance and you can even see undead attack the living on building blocks that aren't necessarily in focus. Would I watch it again? Definitely, just to be blown away all over again. This is a bold, violent and scary adventure with full on intensity and incredibly strong lead performances.