[review] world war z
When I sat down in the cinema to watch World War Z (and yes, I do pronounce it “zed”) it occurred to me that I hate most films in the zombie genre. I find them violent, often tasteless and usually incredibly depressing. I wasn’t exactly sure what had driven me to sit down and watch this film. In part it was due to the fact I had read the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks and had really enjoyed it, although I wasn’t certain most of the time exactly how serious to take the tone. World War Z was Brooks’ follow up novel; and it was on this novel that the film was based. The book is set ten years after the zombie apocalypse and tells the history of the zombie wars from many different viewpoints. Although the film does not follow this plot, it is definitely set in the same universe. The other part was my confidence that Brad Pitt, who was both co-producer and lead actor, wouldn’t be involved in a film that could be considered a “traditional” zombie flick.
World War Z ,directed by Mark Forster, begins the way most zombie films begin; a peaceful breakfast scene, an idyllic family with no sign of the trouble ahead. What sets this film apart, is when trouble starts, you see it exclusively from the point of view of the main character; Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt). This captures the confusion and chaos of the initial attack. He isn’t certain what’s going on, and neither are you. At first the zombies are only glimpsed through the crowd, and you aren’t really sure what you’ve seen. All this adds to the suspense and stress of the moment. After a tense drive out of Philadelphia in a stolen RV; we begin to learn more about Lane. He is a former UN worker who previously acted in gathering information in high risk and dangerous areas in the world. He and his family are evacuated to a convoy of US battleships; and he is asked to go in to South Korea, to help a virologist (Elyes Gabel) learn more about the zombie threat, which they are perceiving as a disease. He initially refuses, and only goes after the US government threaten to throw his family off the ship, leaving them at the mercy of the zombies. Reluctantly he agrees, and begins a search to discover the best way to combat the problem. The remainder of the film charts this journey, whilst his family waits in terror on the ship, knowing that if he fails they will be sent back to the mainland.
This is a sparsely peopled film, with only a few main characters, and only two principal female characters. The first is Karin Lane; Gerry’s wife (Mireille Enos), who is left behind when he is forced to go off in search of answers. Although often the “woman left behind” role is considered passive, Enos brings a fantastic strength and acceptance to the role. The other principal female character is Israeli soldier; “Segen” (Daniella Kertesz). It is a well known fact that Israel conscripts females into their army as frontline infantry and it is interesting that they chose to make the character a female, when it could so easily have been male. Also quite easily her character could have become the girl the main male character needs to protect. Instead her character is every inch the professional soldier; she is tough, clever and unafraid of combat. It is one of the most unique female roles I have ever seen, as she is almost androgynous.
The tone of the film is definitely more serious than most standard zombie films; with more in common with 28 Days Later rather than say Dawn of the Dead. It has tones of the film Children of Men; very gritty and real, a lot of slow close ups. The action scenes are fantastic; chaotic and busy, really portraying the confusion the characters must be feeling. It is also an incredibly tense film; focusing on the slow burn rather than the punch of the more graphic films of the genre. I was almost literally on the edge of seat for most of the film; with my heart racing. Unlike with most zombie films; you don’t really know how this film is going to end.
World War Z is possibly one of the best films of the year. It’s tense, beautifully filmed, brilliantly acted and miles above most other zombie films I have seen. It’s the zombie film for people who hate zombie films.
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