One of the most seamless blends of Comedy and Horror ever!

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2005)

I know, I know... I've barely started this review and I already fear it smacks of hyperbole, but I can't help myself... I have such love for this film, I can hardly contain my geeky joy.
I am a lifelong fan of the Horror movie in all of its forms; from atmospheric and creepy classics to the most exploitative and gory grind-house flicks. My second favorite type of films are Comedies, from cheap scatological humor to the driest British wit. I only mention my tastes here to point out that this movie satisfied me on pretty much every level.
Horror and Comedy are like two sides of the same coin, and yet very few films have really blended them masterfully. I would say that the short list of those which have includes An American Werewolf in London, the Evil Dead trilogy, Dead Alive (Braindead)... and now, Shaun of the Dead.
I found the horrific aspects of this film wonderfully executed and effective. The scares run the gamut, from quick-cut BOO! shots to subtle, ominous dark shadows to full-out, body-rending gore. And the humorous aspects were likewise varied, from crude bathroom humor to clever puns and pop-cultural references.
Not only does Shaun of the Dead juggle laughs and scares with surprising skill, but this film turns out to have a heart, too. Billed as a Rom-Zom-Com, the fantastic elements of this film are kept in check by the affection of the characters for each other.
The underpinning of this tale of Zombie madness is the everyday life of working-class schlub Shaun, his long-suffering girlfriend Liz and useless slacker buddy Ed. The relationship between these and other characters is really the main story, with the undead plague providing a backdrop for much better dialog than I've come to expect from a Zombie movie. By creating characters that the viewer can care about, SOTD achieves an emotional depth between the gags and the gristle. The last frame of the film is truly a moment that made me laugh and cry at the same time.
Obviously I have nothing but praise for Shaun of the Dead. For me, it was an instant addition to my Top Ten list. I highly recommend that you see it, often.