Good start and good plot but miscast

Rating: 7/10 (26 January 2008)

Contains Spoilers
I really looked forward to seeing this movie and for the best part enjoyed it wholeheartedly. I particularly enjoyed the empty street scenes and the attention that was paid to detail....grass growing through the cracks in the road.....cars with tyres deflated..... absolutely beautiful and really portraying the scene more than any words could say. The storyline was interesting from the outset and didn't need too much explanation and Will played a really good part as a silent actor. Meaningful expressions and mutely carrying the story along - loads of action too and well played. The German shepherd I thought was particularly impressive, dotingly paying attention to her handler just off camera and doing all that was required of her. Then, it happened, about half way through the movie, Will started talking, the dog died and a woman was introduced to the plot. There's no way that the Will character would have lost the ability to communicate with other people. Even with zombies walking the streets would he be drawn to pull a firearm on an apparently sane woman and her child especially as she had just saved his life. This is where it lost it for me, tough girl, survived for 3 years plus in this particularly cruel world supporting her son suddenly (a little later) resorts to hiding under the bed waiting for knight in shining armour. For me it went down hill from here on in, it seemed that the ending was rushed and I suspect that there are a few alternatives in the can. I doubt that Mr Smith would have been happy with that one. To sum up I loved the plot and storyline but I really think Will was miscast, he just isn't a tough intellectual scientist character. No disrespect Will but maybe you know what I mean too. Hey, but you must see it yourselves and form your own opinion - mine is, a good start but lost momentum along the way. I think casting could have been better too but we get what we are given.