TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Shaun of the Dead [UMD Mini for PSP] [2004]


Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

It's no disparagement to describe Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s zombie-rom-com Shaun of the Dead as playing like an extended episode of Spaced. Not only does the movie have the rather modest scope of a TV production, it also boasts the snappy editing, smart camera moves, and deliciously post-modern dialogue familiar from the sitcom, as well as using many of the same cast: Pegg’s Shaun and Nick Frost’s Ed are doppelgangers of their Spaced characters, while Jessica Stevenson and Peter Serafinowicz appear in smaller roles. Unlike the TV series, it’s less important for the audience to be in on the movie in-jokes, though it won’t hurt if you know George Romero’s famous Dawn of the Dead trilogy, which is liberally plundered for zombie behaviour and mythology.

Shaun is a loser, stuck in a dead-end job and held back by his slacker pal Ed. Girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) is exasperated by his lack of ambition and unceremoniously dumps him. As a result, Shaun misses out on what is apparently the end of the world. In a series of beautifully choreographed and edited scenes, including hilarious tracking shots to and from the local shop, he spectacularly fails to notice the death toll and subsequent zombie plague. Only when one appears in their back garden do Shaun and Ed take notice, hurling sundry kitchen appliances at the undead before breaking out the cricket bat. The catastrophe proves to be the catalyst for Shaun to take charge of his life, sort out his relations with his dotty mum (Penelope Wilton) and distant stepdad (Bill Nighy), and fight to win back his ex-girlfriend. Lucy Davis from The Office and Dylan Moran of Black Books fame head the excellent supporting cast. --Mark Walker


Clever, Hilarious, Scary & Crammed with Extras
Review date: 2008-11-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

Quite simply this the best movie British movie of the first decade of the 21st Century.Okay it won't look as impressive on your DVD shelf as "Atonement", or give you as much "cool points" as "Casino Royale" but after a bad day at school/college/uni/work this movie will lift your spirits despite being set in the midst of a plague of zombies in London.

Great acting and a deceptively clever script mean this DVD is actually an accomplished piece of movie making by Pegg and Wright and not just a collection of gory scenes nor a cobbled together mish-mash of gags. This "zom-rom-com" is really an essential purchase is its commentary is enlightening and entertaining and the rest of the extra are superb.

Buy, devour and enjoy!

Similar Products

Reviews


Great comedy horror film
Review date: 2008-11-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film is superb fun, and has plenty of really good laughs as well as brilliant scenes with zombies. It's a very inventive film that lifts the horror-comedy movie to a level that hasn't been seen for a long time.

This is a really enjoyable bit of nonsense that I'd recommend to anyone. Great stuff.

Zombie Realism
Review date: 2008-10-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

Before I saw the movie, I thought it was made to mock all the other zombie movies (especially by Romero)...boy, was I wrong!! First of all, it is damn hysterical, but it would be small-minded to label it as a comedy because there are so many different aspects to this story (romance, friendship, family relationships, etc.)

I also enjoyed the characters - very believable (I'm sure you'll be thinking of your friends and family when you watch this one)...and if you are wondering about the zombies themselves, they walk slow and run fast depending on the situation. When I finished watching this movie, I thought to myself: "this is probably how a lot of people will react when zombies walk the earth."

If you know anyone who is afraid of zombies, take them to see this movie - it will probably be the only zombie movie you can enjoy together!

So nearly great
Review date: 2008-09-30 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is so nearly a great film but just misses the mark ever so slightly.

Bad points: Some of the dialogue is a bit laboured ("Shaun, you've got red on you") and the plot's skeleton can be seen through some of the thinner parts of the story.

The tone of the ending feels bizarrely jarring with the preceding 90mins and the wooden/dull lead actress really is an odd choice, considering the excellent Jessica Stephenson was on hand.

Good points: A British film the not made by Richard Curtis which the UK can be proud of. Genuinely laugh-out-loud funny with excellent performances from Simon Pegg and (best of all) Nick Frost.

By the time the same team made Hot Fuzz, they'd really hit their stride.

classic
Review date: 2008-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

brillent horror comedy thats a blast from start to finish thats worth checking out.its also got a couple of good scares and gore so thiers something for everyone

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Dylan Moran
Lucy Davis
Kate Ashfield
Simon Pegg
Nick Frost

Creators:
Simon Pegg (Primary Contributor)
Simon Pegg (Writer)
Nick Frost (Primary Contributor)
Edgar Wright (Writer)
Alison Owen (Producer)
Eric Fellner (Producer)
James Wilson (Producer)
Mark Hudson (Producer)
Natascha Wharton (Producer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
EAN: 0025192862823
Binding: UMD Mini for PSP
Number of items: 1
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen,
Release date: 2005-10-18
Universal product code (UPC): 025192862823
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
ESRB age rating: Teen

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional