Generic at its core

Rating: 6/10 (27 June 2013)

Slick, uneven zombie film that ultimately fails because it doesn't prey upon the preexisting fears that the viewing audience has. The apocalypse in the film does not unnerve and the zombies have no metaphorical significance. Hence, we are not scared. We are merely left with a Brad Pitt saves the world movie, rather than a terrifying zombie flick with psychological resonance. The movie does have its moments, but is ultimately forgettable. Pitt's love of his family is overplayed and its irritating how he is merely a UN worker. We are unclear why he is the one called upon to save the world, since we learn very little about his skill-set or background. The scene where he tosses a grenade on a plane is beyond ludicrous. However, the way in which they defeat the zombies is very clever and it's nice how the film ends with a respite from the problem, rather than a solution to it.