If you're hungry for brains, this movie's got some.

Rating: Null/10 (28 September 2004)

The concept seems like a horrible Hollywood pitch: living dead thriller meets goofy romantic comedy. However, Shaun of the Dead, Britain's deadpan answer to the resurgence of zombie movies like 28 Days Later and the new Dawn of the Dead is just that. And remarkably, it's funny as hell (pun fully intended).
Simon Pegg, who co-wrote, plays the titular Shaun; a protagonist content with the rut he's created for himself. This routine of video games and beer is no longer enough for his girlfriend Liz who tries to coax more out of the slacker. But, Shaun's relationship with Liz isn't the only one changing as Shaun's two dynamically opposed roommates play tug-of-war with him as well. The real trick behind this movie is the surprising depth of its characters as well as Wright's eye for comedy. Despite early warning signs, there's nary a zombie to be seen for the first thirty minutes of the film but chances are you'll be too busy laughing at the barrage of gags to notice. About halfway through, Shaun of the Dead shifts into typical blood-drenched, zombie mode with the band of lead characters crossing London to try and find a safer place to hide. Tensions flare up between the group as the zombies slowly penetrate their safe haven, but the comedy rarely wavers, with the exception of a few touching scenes that, because they're genuine, are more memorable than any of the gruesome violence.
Ultimately, the film knows how to give fans of both genres exactly what they want to see without being tempted by the clichÃ©s that would easily ruin such a precarious tightrope act. Could be I'm just a sucker for British comedy and zombie flicks, or it could be that this is the smartest movie in theaters right now.