Plot
On a normal day in London, Shaun’s girlfriend Liz breaks up with him due to his inability to grow up. He favours his pub the Winchester over her, he can’t separate himself from his best friend, the unemployed Ed (who has been crashing with Shaun and his roommate Pete – who also hates Ed), and still hasn’t introduced her to his mum.
When a Zombie apocalypse hits them, now Shaun must do the one thing he has never done. Think about others and grow up.
Direction
Directed by Edgar Wright, who had previously been known for his music videos, and television work. The last few years before this, working with Pegg and Frost etc on their show Spaced.
He does some fantastic work, especially with the ‘long shot’ which he does twice. Once when things are normal, and then the next day when the zombie apocalypse has started (and Shaun hasn’t noticed… hilarious).
Even though it is a comedy, the graphic violence is brutal when it does occur.
His love of incorporating music into his films is shown here too, with a few key moments using songs (like ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ when the gang are attacking a zombified bar owner).
Cast
Starring a number of cast within the British comedy scene, and the television shows Spaced and Black Books.
This was one of Simon Pegg’s first true big budget movies, which led him to his A lister status today. He plays the title character Shaun.
Nick frost plays Ed is obnoxious best friend, who refuses to grow up.
Kate Ashfield plays Liz his girlfriend.
Lucy Davis and Dylan Moran, who both had lead or co lead roles in their own shows (Davis playing Dawn in the original The Office series, and Moran as Bernard in Black Books).
Penelope Wilton, and Bill Nighy round the cast as Shaun’s mum and step dad Phil and Barb
phil *bill nighy) barb – penelope wilton
There are a tonne of cameos by British celebrities (some I know of, some I don’t…)
Breakdown
This was actually a very well written film, that has quite a bit of heart within it – as well as the ‘zombie apocalypse’… it almost makes the chaos around the characters a secondary hurdle.
The main theme was really ‘growing up’ – as Shaun continuously puts Liz second to his friend Ed (who is essentially a man child, who would rather fart in his friends face than get a job and contribute to paying bills). Shaun also can’t separate himself from his favourite pub, the Winchester. Throughout the film he must ‘let go’ of most of these, and really for the first time he shows that he can be a leader, and act – almost like a father figure to his group.
There is great direction from Wright. This was his second feature film, and his use of comedy within terror is brilliantly displayed. There is a fun “one shot” that occurs early in the film where Shaun heads to the local corner shop to buy a cornetto (hence why this is the first film in the cornetto trilogy), before the outbreak. The next day he does the exact same walk, oblivious the zombies around him, and the blood on the glass and floor. This also shows his love of incorporating music into his films (such as the inclusion of Don’t Stop Me Now as some of the survivors are attacking a zombified pub owner.
The one by one they die trope has some sad moments, as well as some ‘about time’ moments. There is even a surprise death at the end that shows that not everyone makes it out.
The big up is how the characters can remain almost unbothered, and unchanged within the chaos. There is still plenty of comedy moments (the woman in the back yard, Shaun’s plan to get mum and Liz to the Winchester etc) in between the horror of the zombie outbreak, and relationship drama with Shaun and Liz.
Overall
Extremely fun, extremely violent – with just the right amount of heart and with a smart message about growing up, and being there for those who need you.
A strong recommend, and “first” in the Cornetto Trilogy.
4/5
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