Shaun of the Dead (2004)

 

Could this very well be the best entry of the Cornetto Trilogy?

Yes, it most assuredly can. 

Don't get me wrong: 'The World's End' is delightful and 'Hot Fuzz' is an absolute hoot of a parody/satire of explosive action films, but this one just has that bit extra that makes it even more memorable. Not only is it a comedy of sorts, it might also be one of the best zombiefilms ever made, complete with cool references that don't feel forced and a story that - while silly - still manages to grab you by the curlies.

Our 'hero' Shaun is a bit of a loser and his relationship with his girlfriend Liz is beginning to suffer from the fact that Shaun never does anything without his best friend Ed, who is a complete slob and a leech. It even goes so far that Liz breaks up with Shaun because he has forgotten to do something for her for the umpteenth time. This is also the point where Shaun finally begins to realise that he has to start taking action.

Just too bad this realisation coincides with a zombie outbreak. 

Now Shaun has to try and save his mum, his girlfriend and himself and hopefully survive what could very well be the end of civilisation as we all know it. And what, pray, is his masterplan? To gather everyone and hole up in his favourite pub, The Winchester, which is already a place where he spends most of his life. 

Yes, irony is not lost on anyone here.

So the story is not really the focal point here, but everything else makes this so bloody brilliant. The editing is masterful, the acting is on point from everyone, the jokes always land and there are so many clever setup, you probably only pick them out after several viewings. Very often, things that seem like throwaway lines come back again in a later scene. It really is masterfully written and executed. 

But wait, there's more. Throughout the film, little nods to classics (usually Romero) complete the picture. Shaun works at Foree Electric (named after actor Ken Foree from 'Dawn of the Dead'); he's supposed to book a table at Fulci's (if I have to explain that reference, you haven't seen enough horrorfilms) and even some of the music hearkens back to classic zombiefilms. 

Not only does the comedy land every time, it also makes the gruesome scenes even more effective. Yes, this film is funny, but there are parts here where you will cringe at the gore and abuse some of the characters suffer. A laugh and a shock: a perfect match. 

And if you need a good example why this film is so well made: early on, there is a long tracking shot of Shaun walking over to the local deli to pick up some odds and ends. They repeat that exact same shot on the morning of the zombie outbreak. The differences are there, but Shaun is so hungover, he doesn't even realise. It's great stuff. Also: the link during the credits that a lot of what we people do every day already makes us fairly zombie-like, is spot on. 

Must-see film? Hell yes.