World War Z

Reviews from the Dark Side presents
World War Z
 Released 6/21/13, now in theaters

Brad Pitt fights the zombie apocalypse (another one?)  in this week's release of World War Z.  The film is adapted from a 2006 novel of the same name.  Zombies appear to be the new "it" monsters today (sorry vamps).  But, that also means zombie movies are becoming a dime a dozen.  Can Z bring something new to the mix or is it destined monster movie obscurity?

It's an average day like most others for Gerry Lane and family sitting in heavy Philadelphia traffic.  When their car's side view mirror is taken out by a speeding cop on a motorcycle, Gerry senses things aren't quite right.  That could also have something to do with report of rabies spreading internationally that has come over the radio.  Infected victims that can only be classified as "zombies" begin to mercilessly attack from every direction.  Gerry and family narrowly escape thanks to a last minute helicopter rescue coordinated by a former colleague of Gerry's who works for the U.N. 

The Lanes are taken to U.S. Navy ship off the coast of New York where the audience learns that Gerry is a former U.N. Investigator who left this life behind him years ago.  Gerry's former colleague solicits him to accompany scientist, Dr. Fassbach, and a SEAL team to South Korea to investigate the outbreak.  Gerry has no interest in leaving his family until it's implied that accommodations cannot be made for them unless he agrees to help. 

When the crew arrives at a military base in South Korea, things go from bad to worse as Dr. Fassbach is lost and Gerry is left to travel the globe to discover the origins of the virus and find a cure before the whole planet is lost.

What struck me about World War Z is the multitude of items the audience is supposed to take on faith.  For instance, these "infected", like most other zombies in TV or film, act on base animal instinct.  They have no obvious sense of reason.  So, how do they sense that some humans are different?   That they are unfit?  Maybe it comes down to that base animal instinct.  It just seems strange for creatures that are seemingly mindless.

The temporary "solution" to the epidemic is a bit of a leap considering what little evidence is presented.  If that solution had proved to be wrong, it would have been quite a shame to wipe out the rest of the population that survived the zombie attacks.  Really, the reason that some humans aren't attacked could be as simple as having six toes on one foot.  But, I get it.  In desperate times, you'll try anything.

Then, there's Gerry himself.  A clever fellow to be sure.  He's not one to panic in a pressure situation.  He's quick thinking.  He's decent enough in a firefight.  All very good qualities to have in this type of disaster to be sure.  Someone you wouldn't mind having on your side.  But, you find out all of these things along the way.  You never have a notion that he's extraordinary in any way.  Good, yes.  But not outstanding.  So, it left me scratching my head a little as to why his U.N. friend is so eager to gain his assistance.  Seriously, Gerry's not Special Forces or Black Ops.  He's not a super cop or a genetically enhanced warrior.  He's a U.N. Investigator.  And, he's been out of the game for a little while at that.  With limited space and resources, what makes Gerry so special that the acting government would risk good men for a daring rooftop rescue?  It's really not made very clear.

Now, there is plenty to like about World War Z.  When the action starts, and it does fairly quickly, there's little time to catch your breath.  The film moves at a frenetic pace that only enhances the terror of the epidemic.

You know what else enhances terror?  Scary zombies! And these flesh munchers are frightening.  These aren't your amble along, stumble-bum zombies.  These tear after you with a visceral ferocity  that makes your heart stop.  They're so animalistic that they even bite at their prey when barriers separate them from it.  Of course, this does take a bit of a comedic turn at times which I'm not sure is completely intentional.

World War Z is a worthy addition to genre.  It gets an A for horror. I haven't seen zombies this vicious since the remake of Dawn of the Dead.  There are a few contrivances that are head scratchers, but, overall, this is an apocalypse worth a couple hours of your time.

The Dark Lord of the Sith says:

***1/2 stars

Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.