Monday, June 24, 2013

FilmReviews: World War Z

*Note: This review may contain spoilers,so for those who haven't seen the movie,proceed at your own risk.

How far will one man go to save his family?

Just watched World War Z today and I liked it even though it was part-disappointing.World War Z is directed by Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace) and stars Oscar Nominee Brad Pitt (Fight Club/Se7en),
Mireille Enos (Gangster Squad),Daniella Kertesz,James Badge Dale (The Departed/Iron Man 3),David Morse (The Green Mile),Matthew Fox,Fana Mokoena and Ludi Boeken.The film is about United Nations employee Gerry Lane who traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.



Despite the fact that World War Z is a zombie movie,it isn't that "typical" as the trailer suggests.The film and the plot line actually has something more to it.Well,sure part of WWZ's plot line focuses on humans clashing through a large amount of the undead but the film isn't literally about  soldiers fighting off a large amount of zombies,but instead also focuses on how the zombie pandemic started.But wait,there IS much more in store than that.In WWZ,the government doesn't create a cure,but instead a kind of "camouflage" serum that allows humans to "camouflage" through the zombies.But...wait,the zombies aren't "zombies" at all but just humans infected by an epidemic.Aw! It feels like I Am Legend and Zombieland again! but I forgive it.Despite the plot redundancies,I still liked the film for the smart and clever plot that is exceptional by scope and scale which made the movie epic also by the globe-trotting plot line.But even though I liked the film's plot,I had some problems about the biggest plot-hole which regards where the pandemic started.I don't know why the hell they didn't explain where it began,but the possible reason on how they left it out is probably because they were planning for a sequel and because maybe,that's what the "sequel" will be about.I really don't know.But sneaky bastards,they are.Knowing the fact that World War Z is not a typical zombie movie after watching it,the storyline succeeds by "epic" means despite the big plot hole that might be the sequel's story...but damn,they should've just included that (big) plot hole to refrain from the cramming and complaints from the audience.

World War Z (literally) stars at least 1 famous Hollywood star,and that is Brad Pitt.We've seen him gloriously kill Nazis in Inglorious Basterds and pour his heart and emotion out in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.But now,we get to see him kill zombies in World War Z.Pitt's "decent" performance is what anchored the film in terms of acting.He was Gerry Lane,your typical family man who saves the day.I wouldn't refer his performance in WWZ as bad-ass like in Inglorious Basterds and Se7en but I would instead like to describe him here as "awesome". Awesome because he kills zombies,but not much of a large amount.Nonetheless, Pitt's performance was decent and not bad.Mireille Enos' performance as Karin Lane was (sort-of) almost awful.Her acting wasn't that bad but her dialogue is just so typical as a family man's wife would say in a film.I don't know whoever the hell she is but her performance was bad.Oh and yes,I forgot! We have at least one more known Hollywood star in the name of David Morse.Some people may know him best from Contact,but I knew him for his good performance in The Green Mile.Actually,Morse didn't play a major character in the film,but he plays an Ex-CIA Agent whom Gerry finds out how the pandemic started.Even though he is a small and supporting character in the film,he manages to be an important one as he serves a big part in the film's plot.Brad Pitt anchored World War Z in means of performances,as the others were good,but almost awful.But thank God for David Morse.I kinda liked him in this one even though he had just one scene.But the rest,gone.But Pitt was a good choice as the main character.He really "owned" it.

The trailer for the film includes a scene running zombies,a pile of zombies reaching a wall,and yes,Brad Pitt.But other than that,the film doesn't include more money shots 'cause yes,they used it ALL in the trailer so nothing more from the film can be left.Ugh.The opening scene of the film was immediately the money shot from the trailer that includes the "infected" running through the busy streets of ol' Philly.That scene pumped my heart and was just really exhilarating as if my heart stopped for a while.Then through the 30-45 minute mark,we have the Jerusalem scene that has the "infected" piling up part that was one of the trailer's money shots.Like what I said,other than that there's nothing more to the film's action.Wait,I forgot that we also have the plane scene where the plane tears up a hole sucking out some "infected" in the air.That scene was awesome no denying,but I still am dismayed due to the lack of action.But I forgive the lacking of action for the story redeems the film.But needless to say,that big opening sure was spectacular and amazing at the same time.Marco Beltrami's score was sort of haunting with a mix of dubstep.It fit the film well,and sets the film in the right mood.The film includes a lot of helicopter shots,that emphasizes on the city's destruction which made it look good.'Cause in an infected's words,it says "that is our work,we did it".Something like that.Either way,the cinematography was good,specially during the big opening scene and the Jerusalem scene.

I have to say,Marc Forster directed this well,but the dialogue really needed more spice and the cast needed more "known ones" rather than the "unknowns" and "not have heard of".I'm talking to you,Mireille Enos and the rest of the supporting cast except you,David Morse.I liked your acting in that short scene of yours.But back to topic,Forster did a good job on directing this one,he was able to bring a new twist to the zombie movie genre.Good job! You have redeemed yourself from the almost awful Quantum of Solace.

All the way around,World War Z entertains,thrills and shocks but doesn't impress much.Even though WWZ lacked a lot of action,the story redeems.But the cast wasn't that good though.It needed more known stars.

World War Z gets 7.5 stars over 10.


World War Z is now showing in theaters in 2D & 3D distributed by Solar UIP Philippines and is rated PG-13 by the MTRCB.

*Catch Brad Pitt kill some Nazis in Inglorious Basterds and solve a mysterious case in Se7en.Both available to own on DVD & Blu-Ray distributed by Magnavision Home Video.Like their Facebook page in the link provided.

**For now,check out a clip from the film that includes those "infected" hammering down an armed chopper.



(C) 2013,Paramount Pictures,Plan B Entertainment,Skydance Productions,GK Films and Hemisphere Media Capital.

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