A gem of modern horror

Rating: 9/10 (26 September 2004)

SPOILERS AHEAD - All too often these so-called 'humorous' horror movies tend to be more ridiculous than anything else, but 'Shaun of the Dead' is a brilliant piece of movie-making. While the horror elements are really strong (although the movie is really not all that scary, I will remember that one disemboweling scene for a long time) the humor is what makes the movie. Like in the original 'Dawn of the Dead,' the social commentary is so right on the nose you can't help but laugh. Shaun and Ed spend a day or so completely oblivious to the horror that is going on outside and I was laughing because I know people just like that, people who wouldn't know there were riots in the streets because they would be too busy playing Playstation or something. Something else I enjoyed were the subtle references to 'Night of the Living Dead' and 'Dawn of the Dead' (like some of the chords in the opening sequence that were reminiscent of 'Dawn' and when Ed said into the phone 'We're coming to get you Barbara!'). A superb movie, it will find a place in my heart right next to another humorous horror movie - 'Tremors.'