World War Z Reviews

Love Zombie movies but this unoriginal tripe leaves much to be desired!!

Deconstructs and rebuilds the zombie genre. Making the zombies more threatening and the solutions simpler.

An unforgettable and highly addictive roller-coaster ride. A killer thrill-machine of heart-stopping tension, break-neck suspense and pulse-pounding action from start to finish. It starts off fast and never lets up, it keeps your attention and your adrenaline pumped all the way through. It's a spectacular, mind-blowing and heart-pounding epic. One of the most outstanding and triumphant action epics in years. It delivers a solid mixture of action and horror. It delivers intense,y big scares and even bigger action. A full-throttle and eye-popping movie that's filled with energy and intelligence that makes for thrilling spectacle and pure escapism fun. A grown-ups zombie apocalypse film that's engaging and wickedly entertaining. Director, Marc Foster crafts an exhilarating and explosive piece of pure brilliance that's a must-see on any level. Brad Pitt is sensational, he delves deep into his characters emotions and into a over abused genre and makes it feel new and fresh again. This is one hell of a terrific movie.

A fast-paced if unsuccessfully jam-packed mix of apocalypse thriller and cautionary tale concerning a former UN worker (Brad Pitt) who must come back for that dreaded "one last job" once a zombie invasion takes over the planet and he is forced to help if he wants to keep his family safe. Pitt, putting on his best Harrison Ford face and performance ("Where's my family!?"), does a pretty good job with a character that is not as well detailed as it should be. Compare this movie to a similar film, "28 Days Later", and it does not look good at all next to it, given its inconsistent second half and inability to develop any supporting characters next to Pitt. With that said, the action sequences and special effects are relatively impressive, but the globe-trotting affair the film puts Pitt through grows tiresome and pretty impractical as the movie goes on. With a director that put more focus on characters as well as knowing how to end his story on a satisfying, firm note, this could have been a solid film. Instead it is just okay, forgettable entertainment that is neither bad nor good.

It noticeably strays away from the adapted-novel's premise, which would probably lose a portion of the audience who praise it. However, thanks to the film's stylish direction and visually enthralling sequences, it still makes for a pretty good summer blockbuster. World War Z starts quick and is able to captivate even with a convincing performance from Brad Pitt. 4/5

I originally had low expectations for this movie (even as a huge fan of
the Walking Dead, I'm feeling "zombie-fatigued"). But the idea that
zombies are both fast and "swarm" (like ants crawling on top of each
other) to climb a huge wall is a unique twist that could make this
movie fun to watch (written May 2013).

And it ended up being a blast. It introduced an original story-line to
the zombie-apocalypse genre. First, an origin to why the zombie plague
started. Second, the potential for a cure? And lastly, Brad Pitt as the
best dad/survivalist ever. If I had to pick my team to battle the
zombie apocalypse, I'd want Brad on my team, no matter that he is 20
times more handsome than me. (written July 2013)

Afternote: If you saw the movie, don't read the book. In this rare
case, the book falls short of the movie. The book is told in
"documentary-style" based on memos etc. that recall the events "after"
World War Z. The movie tells it in real-time which is how it should be
experienced.

In making it to the screen, World War Z wasn't without it's problems; firstly, there were complaints of it's very loose take on Max Brooks' novel, then it's violence was toned down to achieve a PG-13 certificate; a script rewrite happened half way through production; cinematographer Robert Richardson left to work on "Django Unchained" and the likes of Ed Harris and Bryan Cranston dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. As all these problems piled up, the expectation was that the film would be an absolute disaster. Well, quite simply, it's not. Despite it's problems, it's actually quite a tense and impressively handled thriller.

Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) is a former UN worker, happily spending some time at home with his family, until the sudden outbreak of a zombie plague takes over his home city. They are forced to flee and Gerry manages to get his family to safety but news breaks that the world over is suffering the same outbreak, forcing Gerry back into the field and using his experience to find a cure.

After a brief introduction to our protagonist, Forster doesn't waste time in getting down to business. Within minutes we are thrust into an absolutely exhilarating opening sequence of the rampaging undead overtaking Philadelphia (actually filmed in Glasgow, where I witnessed them shooting) and it's from here that you realise that there's plenty of potential in this summer blockbuster. It doesn't matter that there's a lack of blood or gore because the suspense is handled so competently and effectively that you're still on the edge of your seat. In fact, it's the perfect example that less can be more sometimes. What's most impressive, though, is the epic scale in which it's delivered. There are several intense action set-pieces where hordes of zombies leap from rooftops, clamber over walls and rampage through an aircraft mid-flight. As an action movie, it certainly delivers the goods and also finds the time to incorporate geopolitics as the epidemic goes world wide. Anchoring all this mayhem is a solidly understated, central performance from Pitt. Having produced this movie - throughout it's spiralling budget - his commitment to make it work comes across in his performance. He's entirely believable and identifiable as a family man desperate to survive his chaotic surroundings. Nobody else really gets a look in, including a severely downsized role for Matthew Fox and a brief cameo from, the always reliable, David Morse. Ultimately, the film rests on Pitt's shoulders, though, and he handles it with aplomb. So much so, that the lack of blood splattering and zombie flesh eating takes a back seat to a character driven dramatic thriller. Due to it's production difficulties, plans for a sequel were shelved. However, having now become a box-office summer smash, the sequel has been given the go-ahead. I, for one, welcome it.

Against the odds, this manages to be a satisfyingly tense addition to the zombie sub-genre. It doesn't go for the jugular in a gratuitous manner, instead it works on your nerves and focuses on telling a relatable story. Die hard horror fans may want more from it, but it delivered just the right amount of thrills for me.

Mark Walker

This movie wastes no time getting started! I have always felt I could survive traditional zombie movies because I thought I could out run them... this movie introduces the zombie that can't simply be out run and initiates a new kind of fear of zombies!

I'll have to give an extra half-star just because I'm an avid zombie lover, whether is Romero's, Fulci's, or anybody else's, I love that subgenre. This zombie fest in particular is more like an old school spy thriller with many unoriginal and far fetched moments and characters, for instance Brad Pitt's all american invincible hero and family man, keeping the same poker face at any given situation. The ending seems hurried and cleaned-up, in order to not upset mainstream moviegoer's taste. Nevertheless, the grim apocalyptic atmosphere engages and the stormy narration moves quickly enough to enjoy and bypass any sense of deja-vu.

Or as I like to call it, a Resident Evil reboot. Based on a popular novel I've never read or heard of before this film came out so I can't compare. The big question for me is can this zombie thriller differ in any way from the myriad of other zombie flicks that have saturated the genre?.

The film doesn't hang around, straight away we meet Pitt and his lovable family in Philadelphia. After a brief getting to the know the characters moment we are hit hard in the face with an all out zombie attack as panic and mayhem ensues. From this point on there is a breathless escape scenario as Pitt and his family desperately search for a way out and a safe house. Eventually they reach it in a tower block, of course this is only temporary as the zombies attack once again and Pitt must lead his family to the buildings roof for an evac by chopper.

Its at this point in the film I suddenly realised I was watching a brief 'Aliens' rip. The whole sequence from within the building with the red lighting, metal framework of the building interior, the dialog and even the music and sound effects, is quite familiar to various action sequence snippets in the Cameron epic. The whole scenario is a tense and sweaty affair no doubt about that.

I was still game for this though, originality zero, OK no problem, I saw it coming obviously. Then I started to think, why are these military types going all out purely to save Pitt? this guy is merely a UN investigator, what about everyone else??. This notion follows through most of the film, everybody seems to be going out of their way to protect Pitt everywhere he goes, never mind their own men or civvies, just protect Pitt, get Pitt to da chopper!!. OK this guy is a good investigator but when the shit hits the fan in zombieland surely its every man for himself at some point, don't go getting your ass bitten to save Pitt.

So the plot is simply Pitt must globe trot to find a cure for this zombie infection. Yep that's right Pitt jumps around the world as if there was no flight time in between. Pitt is sent to Korea with a team of SEALs which actually turns out to be four men, really just four?, there he finds a CIA op in jail, but why is he locked up still? what's the point? surely you need every man. This guy tells him that Israel knew all about the infection, so why didn't he just tell other people about this too?.

So off we go to Israel where they have built a huge wall to keep zombies out. They did this on the basis of an intercepted communication from India saying troops were fighting zombies. So let me get this straight, Mossad over hears this communication about 'spirits of the dead' and decide to build a huge wall to stop the infection of which they have no proof of, just this radio message which could mean anything. Jumping to conclusions much?. Then on top of that they start using the loudspeakers within the quarantined area which attracts the zombies (sounds attract them, for some reason) and cause them to act like ants and climb all over each other creating a massive zombie ladder to overcome the wall. So that was the very first time they used those speakers ever? the zombies were never attracted before? just the minute Pitt conveniently turns up, wow! this guy is a jinx.

A bit later on Pitt cuts off a female Israeli soldiers hand then later on dresses it, surely he should of put something in her mouth to stop her biting her own tongue open from pain? no? ah well. This happens on board an airliner which they escape Israel on but ends up crashing in Wales. Completely obliterated no survivors...accept Pitt and the girl soldier, lucky huh. From here on we get towards the finale based in a medical research centre in Wales which is quite good I admit. Although the way they learn to beat the zombies (for the time being) is hard to believe. Zombies don't attack sick/ill people? how can they tell?.

Don't get me wrong this film isn't a bad film, it does the zombie thing but with a lot of gloss n polish, this is a proper big budget zombie flick with Brad Pitt. if you put aside the complete lack of originality, the film is a thumping tense ride once the zombies start pouring onto the screen and biting everybody, I can't deny that. Everything looks damn slick n crisp with some awesome aerial shots of overrun infested cities/towns/areas etc...the film looks good. That is until you see some of the CGI, in places it looks good, but in most other places it looks obvious, lots of CGI zombies bouncing all over and getting crushed or whatever. The zombie anthill is the films money shot for sure.

The film did give me chill at times, always the same with zombie flicks. Those sequences where people are escaping to a certain point or vehicle and that moment when one of the team gets taken down just before reaching safety. Then the survivors watch from their safe vantage point (usually best when flying away so you get that classic aerial shot of the ground) and see the carnage they have managed to escape from. Level complete, next level, objective...survive the same ordeal all over again in a different location.

The film is a zombie infestation flick so I didn't expect much, its well made with high production values but end of the day its just full of silly plot issues. Acting is fair but nothing special, Pitt is totally miscast (this is what happens when these companies owned by big stars secure the film rights), the man just sticks out like a sore thumb. I have no idea if this is as good as the book, I've heard its not very accurate, but really I'm just more surprised at the fact this film actually did well!. All the other flops this year and this did well? go figure.

three stars...

The whole epidemic/zombie genre doesn't excite me like it does other people, and this film doesn't offer anything new. It has a below average and very short story, slow developing narrative, and prolonged action sequences. Nothing to really get excited about here.

Jurgen Warmbrunn: Most people don't believe something can happen until it already has. That's not stupidity or weakness, that's just human nature.

"Remember Philly"

This was a movie that I had large expectations for. World War Z didn't quite deliver though. It had exciting moments and cool action sequences, but largely the movie was dull and was just missing something. I haven't read the book, so I can't comment on how the movie is as an adaptation. All I can say was the movie was okay, but it was disappointing. 

When a zombie pandemic breaks out and stretches the entire globe, all ex-UN employee Gerry Lane wants to do is protect his family. Soon the UN wants him to come back to work though, and in order for his family to be allowed to stay on a naval ship, he agrees. He then goes all over the world trying to figure out where this all started and also trying to figure out how to stop it.

Brad Pitt was his usual self. His performance doesn't rank up there with the best of his career, and it all seemed a little easy for him, but still he was the driving force through the whole film. The zombies themselves can sometimes look good and other times look ridiculous. Normally when in large groups, the zombies look amazing. One scene in particular where a shit load of zombies try to climb a wall is eye popping to say the least.

In the end, I have a tough time rating this one. I really want to like it more than I ended up, but the fact is that it wasn't that good. Good action sequences and a solid lead don't push this movie over the top, they just keep it from failing.

Ah, this is a zombie movie, I think. But it really is more like a movie that ALSO has zombies in it. I mean, there's little compelling zombie action in here. And what's with the love story. Don't you think they could have gone ahead just fine without it?

By no means did I think it would be a bad movie going into the theaters, but I also didn't think it would be a great movie either. With that said, I was surprised by how good the movie turned out. Great action scenes (CGI), great suspense, and an overall great plot.

The film's outer zombie infested layer is made more impressive by its socio-political under layer, proving the film may be about more than just zombie blood and guts. Pitt carries the film with remarkable poise that one would come to expect, accompanied alongside a quickly paced script. The ending isn't all too satisfying, but it is one of the more original endings to a zombie film that I've seen.

Now I'm not a huge zombie person as much as some other people are and this isn't a gore hounds dream of a zombie film (Thank you PG-13) but I will admit I was generally surprised for what I got considering the trailer didn't intrigue me that much.

The acting in World War Z is mainly hit or miss in my mind. Brad Pitt, while not a huge fan of his work, does a very good job here and gives a very legit serious performance. Mireille Enos does a very good job as the wife of Brad and does get a few very well pulled off emotional moments. My favorite actor in the film though is Danielle Kertesz who plays a foreign soldier who helps Brad Pitt through Israel and the hospital at the end of the film who has her hand amputated off due to getting bitten and keeping it from spreading. She gives a very good emotional performance and she definitely knows how to pull off the very intense moments in the film. The rest of the cast does well but they don't really focus on a lot of the side characters in the film, mainly its just Pitt, the wife, and the soldier, so a lot of the side characters are either forgettable and just there to die, or just give a passable performance.

Now the effects. This is the one thing I was mainly concerned about, because in all the trailers, they show the massive amounts of zombies piling on top of one another and running in MASSIVE groups and it is painfully obvious CG and looks pretty laughable from far away, but up close the zombie makeup actually looks very good and the makeup does have some fantastic details to it, especially the teeth and hair on some of the zombies, especially the last one near the end of the film. And some of them have very graphic detail to them which I was genuinely pleased with that they at least made them look like zombies unlike some other zombie films in the past few years.

Now the horror element. Considering it is a zombie movie you would expect some suspense and jump scares, and this is my one problem I have with the film, the jump scares are very predictable, and I was even talking to my friend (Very quietly I might add) in the theatre during the jump scare scenes and saying, this would've worked so much better if they did this. One example is a zombie is shown on a stretcher in a flashback explanation scene asleep, the doctor is examining the zombie while dormant, and at one point puts his ear to the zombies face, now I thought it was going to be that the zombie was going to bite him while his face was right there, which would've been a very good jump scare, but he backs up and they zoom on the zombies face and its eyes open up, which killed the whole jump moment. The movie is just full of these moments that kill the jumpscares by anticipating them. It's almost like the film is to scared to actually scare the audience which is not a good sign for a zombie movie. And I've seen jump scares done very well in other PG-13 films such as Mama and the Grudge and it is just sad that they don't utilize jumps that well. That is until the last act of the film where Brad Pitt and the soldier are in a research facility with a few other people where they have to find the cure so they have to go into the other half of the building, only problem is that the whole other half of the building is crawling with the other infected doctors and scientists, so some of the doctors, Pitt and the soldier have to sneak through there without alerting the zombies, and this is where I think the suspense is just phenomenal. The whole scene builds up so well having the first half of the scene in quiet while the people slowly have to sneak stealthily through the zombies without getting caught. And there is one scene where Pitt is in the medicine room locked in and I think this scene is arguably one of the best suspense scenes I've seen in a film. I won't ruin it but it is just fantastically creepy and makes you feel so anxious on whats going to happen.

Overall, while this isn't the best Zombie film I've seen, I feel that the film has some fantastic elements of a zombie film, adds a couple things, has some good suspense (near the end), good acting, good writing, and some great makeup. I'd say it's at least worth one viewing if you can get over how cheap the CG looks at points and how predictable the jump scares are.

I'm not int zombie movies but this is more than about the gore. Brad Pitt and his family take shelter off shore but Brad has to help a scientist find the source of the virus that is causing these zombies to attack. Good story and special effects.