not exactly a zombie movie

Rating: 10/10 (12 March 2005)

Shawn of the Dead is not the best zombie movie ever made, nor is it the best romantic comedy. However, it fills both roles so amazingly well that lovers of both genres should be satisfied. That is, unless your movies have to scare the pants off of you. People who love to be scared aren't going to get kicks from this movie. It's more of a fast-paced suspense film with some good fake blood and gore and a feel-good drama going on in the background. Aside from the genre, the film also employs some good story advancement techniques such as the television ads and joke shows that are reminiscent of Verhoeven's work. (total recall/starship troopers) This movie does not attempt to be epic or create some otherworldly or post-apocalyptic dream-scape, but it creates an intimate mood between the small group of survivors who exist in an innocuous suburban enclave, except with zombies. Furthermore, it manages to pull all of it's elements together without leaving anything behind or unfinished. I found it incredibly fun to watch, and that is as good of a measure I can think of for a film. Perhaps it's not the only measure, but we all to have a laugh now and again.