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Shaun of the Dead [HD DVD] [2004]


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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


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.

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Reviews


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

DONT BE PUT OFF
Review date: 2008-04-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

the people who write bad review for this are WRONG. its is very funny, there is lots of action and... its awesome!

Hand down, the best film ever made of its genre
Review date: 2008-04-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

SHAUN OF THE DEAD is a revelation. It's funny and creepy and witty and innovative. It also proves it doesn't take a big budget to create a masterpiece. The jokes are never obvious, but always funny... laugh out loud funny... and the gore isn't intended as a replacement for plot (as it is in so many horror films).

There is simply nothing bad about SOTD... it can't be improved upon. I've seen it dozens of times now and find something new to appreciate each time. Definitely in my top-ten favorite films of all time.

It is, hands down, the best film ever made of its genre.

Not just funny, clever too
Review date: 2008-04-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have no idea what film those who gave below 4 stars were watching, but it certainly isn't the same film I've watched.
Shaun of the Dead is the story of Shaun, an electrical goods salesman, who not only has to get his girlfriend of three years back, but deal with a zombie apocalypse.
The script is funny and well-written, bringing the possibility of zombies to today's world; Shaun, Ed and co. are normal people living in London, and Wright and Pegg use this in their script to make it not only hilarious, but grittily real.
It's also a very intelligent film; there are countless callbacks to both Spaced and earlier in the film - Pegg and Wright even manage to make a fart gag touching and moving. In fact, there are so many clever little jokes that it takes you a few viewings to spot them all, making it an intensely rewatchable film.
I myself have watched it at least thirty times; it never fails to make me laugh and cheers me up when I'm down, and is, quite possibly, my favourite film of all time.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Martin Freeman
Lucy Davis
Rob Brydon
Simon Pegg
Dylan Moran

Creators:
Simon Pegg (Primary Contributor)
Rob Brydon (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures
EAN: 5050582518979
Binding: HD DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Widescreen,
Release date: 2007-10-15
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Running time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004-12-30
Language: English (Original Language)

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