I always find it interesting when I hear people lament about the Zombie genre running its course. Though the genre has lost a step or two since George A. Romero unleashed Night of the Living Dead, the increasing success of the series The Walking Dead proves there is still lots life left in the realm of the dead. This is why it is not surprising to see a film like World War Z do so well at the box office this past summer. It is a zombie infused thriller that hits the ground running and rarely pauses to catch its breath.
Like most contemporary films about the undead, World War Z spends most of its time moving from one elaborate action sequence to the next. Loosely based on the Max Brook’s novel of the same name, the film’s plot is as basic as it gets. A former UN specialist, Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), is reluctantly pulled back into the fold when a zombie outbreak not only threatens his family, but the entire world. As with most films of this nature, the characters, outside of Gerry, are rather thinly written as the plot is mostly concerned with the zombies themselves. Converting within seconds of being biting, the undead in the film are rabid and unrelenting.
Director Marc Forster embraces the fast moving zombie aesthetic to the point where the zombies pounce on their prey with Superman-like speed. It helps to create a chaotic, and at times claustrophobic, atmosphere in the film. While Forster does offer edge of your seat thrills, the film is a good of example of the empty calories that come with many summer popcorn films. World War Z is a lot of fun while you are watching it, but quickly leaves your mind once the film is done. This is partly due to the zombies themselves.
Forster falls into the common trap of thinking that the zombies are actually the most interesting part of this genre. Sadly they never have been. After a while, there are only so many ways you can make zombies exciting. This is evident by how quickly the film becomes repetitive. Forster fails to realize that it is the dissolving of societal order that is the most fascinating aspect of any good zombie story. There is something both terrifying and captivating about seeing mankind in its most primal form. It is chilling to think of a lawless landscape where your fellow man is just as dangerous as the zombies roaming the streets. For a globetrotting film, World War Z only touches on this aspect in the first, and arguably best, half of the film. The rest of the picture gets bogged down with image such as hoards of CGI zombies climbing on top of one another in an attempt to strike their prey.
Although World War Z does not offer much outside of zombie infused action sequences, the film does manage to satisfy on a pure entertainment level. World War Z is enjoyable for what it is but, like several of the blockbusters from this past summer, it will promptly leave your memory a few hours later.
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Cinema Axis 
Good review Courtney. Wasn’t as terrible as I had originally imagined it being with all of the post-production talk not sounding so promising. However, the book is way different, and way better.
I think we all tend to get caught up in the reports of problems surrounding the filmmaking process (either in production or in post-production) far more than we really should. Really, at the end of the day all that matters is the final product.
Also, I have heard many say that the book is far better. I might have to give it a read at some point.
Definitely do. It’s well-worth the read. Even the audio-book is worth a listen too, if mainly for the celebrity voices that pop in and out at random times.
I thought that this film was trying really really hard to be 28 Days Later, but ended up being 28 Weeks Later. The whole third act just didn’t work for me (which sounds roughly like your comment that the first part of the film was better, so we seem to be in agreement.)
While I know several people who would argue that 28 Weeks Later is the better of the two, I am firmly in the 28 Days Later camp. I loved the turn that film takes in the second half.
Really didn’t expect much from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised. The two-hour running time flew by!
Nice review.
The film definitely surpassed most peoples expectations. It would be interesting to see where they take the story if they ever decided to make a sequel.