Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Tagline: It’s just one of those days when you’re feeling a little...dead.

Curiosity: It’s a zom-rom-com. SAY IT! SAY IT!

Plot: Shaun (Simon Pegg) is stuck in a rut. His girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) is looking for any sign of commitment from him, whether it be a proposal, an invitation to meet his mother, or just a good date. Shaun fails at all three, gets dumped, and takes solace in the arms of best friend and fellow slacker Ed (Nick Frost). A couple dozen pints helps ease the pain of his break-up, dead end retail job, anal retentive roommate Pete (Peter Serafinowicz; also I’d like to point out that in the U.K. he’d be called a “flatmate,” which has a nice ring to it), and general lack of direction. Also, it keeps him from realizing there’s a full-on zombie attack going down all over England. Spurred by Ed’s lackadaisical approach to the outbreak, Shaun decides to take action, save his loved ones, and maybe even hole up in his favorite pub for a pint. Jokes and pop cultural references abound.

Thoughts: Like most Americans, I was first introduced to the wonderful work of Pegg, Frost, and director/co-writer Edgar Wright through Shaun of the Dead. Hot Fuzz confirmed that this was a trio to watch, and the stateside release of their show Spaced a couple of years later brought my interest to Man-Crush-ter, U.K. (with a space set aside for co-creator/writer/star/lady Jessica Hynes, who also stars here as the peppy zombie basher Yvonne). I loved Shaun of the Dead the first time I saw it and, having now seen Spaced, I love it even more. Wright and Pegg are very reference-heavy in their work in two regards: They’re OK with showing their influences and they’re especially OK with employing their friends. Most of the core players from Spaced show up (along with folks from The Office, Black Books, and, uh, Coldplay), my favorite of which is Michael Smiley, who seems to reprise his Spaced role of Tyres as zombie. It’s a passing bit that doesn’t distract from the story – it’s one guy in a one-second shot of a crowd of zombies – but anyone familiar with Tyres’ crazy disposition will get a kick out of his appearance. Heck, I’m not even sure if he’s really a zombie, or just on some good drugs.

But putting aside my love for Spaced’s team, Shaun of the Dead is still an excellent horror film and an excellent comedy. It’s a fine line to walk, and the film does come off as a fine amalgamation without getting too dark. There’s gore galore and more than one Romero reference (“We’re coming to get you, Barbara!”). But there’s also a fine rom-com relationship between Shaun and Liz. Secondary players Penelope Wilton and Bill Nighy bring emotional weight to the film as Shaun’s reserved yet loving parents. And Wright’s camerawork is amazing; although I’m sure he could rattle off at least 10 directors he ripped off (John Carpenter and Sam Raimi are mentioned as key influences in the DVD commentary). He is very much a student of film, and his reverence only emboldens his work. Though modest in interviews, Wright took technical lessons from the “Evil Dead Trilogy” and then used them to make his own art.

Reflection: Pegg is so clearly proud of his Bub impression, which makes it twice as cute. Also, I’m bummed that weather and budget constraints forced Wright and Pegg to cut Aida the dog’s scene.