Shaun of the Dead

Rating: Null/10 (2 November 2015)

Simon Pegg plays Shaun, your typical not so grown up, grown up. Shaun lives with his roommate, has been recently dumped by his girlfriend, and is constantly in contact with his drug dealing, video gaming addict, best friend, Ed, played by Nick Frost. His daily routine consists of his crappy sales job and often ends at the local pub. However, his happy-not so happy life is brought to an abrupt change as the dead began walking the Earth in search for human flesh. Shaun is quickly placed in a situation where his ability to plan and take charge is changed from not so much responsibility, to being in charge of himself, half-witted best friend, his mother, his now ex-girlfriend, and her two friends as they fight to stay alive.
This specific film reminds me of an old 1985 classic, The Return of the Living Dead. The idea behind each film is a carefree refusal of growing up until faced with the moment of no return. In both films, the characters are carefree and ready to party, that is until all "hell" breaks lose. In which case, the characters realize that living is not all fun and games and it is necessary to make decisions and take actions in order to live ones life.
One of the strongest techniques used in this film was that of invisible and off-screen noise. Just as in The Return of the Living Dead, this technique gives the viewer a better understanding of what it was the characters were facing and going through during this terrifying, yet somehow, comedic event. In the long run, both of these films took a frightening situation and turned it into something fun to watch, while also driving a deeper thought into the viewing audience, that at some point in your life, you simply have to grow up.