Candi’s Corner – Ahhhhhh! Zombies!!! Surviving World War Z

Reviews by Candace C. Smith

The last time I enjoyed a movie with
Brad Pitt was when I empathized with his voracious appetite in 2001’s
Ocean’s Eleven. Watching him eat in just about every scene
was one of the many highlights of that movie for my viewing bliss.
Since then, I haven’t paid much attention to Mr. Pitt’s acting or
believe it or not, personal relationships disseminated throughout the daily circus of
celebrity blogs and TV infotainment programs. With his
latest movie, World War Z, I have finally, once again taken notice of
not only his acting ability, but his physical dexterity. In both
American and British terms, the man is fit. 

But World War Z is more than Brad Pitt and the relentless media blitz surrounding said
movie. This Blockbuster is on a mission to provide pure entertainment for
your eyes, especially if you end up seeing the 3D version, while
providing some hard lessons of survival. With no fillers or
unnecessary plot lines, the mayhem starts before the ten minute mark.
There is no overwrought lead in where we are led to a close-up of the
main character’s face and then led to figuring out what the main
character’s needs are through a tense exchange of words with their
mother, father, girlfriend, boyfriend, ex-lover, or stranger. Rather
we jump right to a morning in the life of Gerry (Pitt) and Karin Lane (Mireille Enos) and
their two children, who wake up, eat breakfast, and pack into their
car for another day’s commute. Then…here comes the zombies!!! And one adventure after another. You could hear a pin drop in the theater as everyone around me
literally held their breaths to see what would happen next.

“What does Gerry do exactly?” All you ever find
out is that Gerry Lane works for the UN, and therefore has a certain
amount of government immunity to the bedlam happening around him. As
the film goes on, the notion of both government and bodily immunity
will present itself as a theme throughout.

Everyone is outstanding in their roles,
especially Ms. Enos who fans of The
Killing will recognize, and many of the supporting actors and
actresses, such as Danielle Kertesz (as Segen), Fana Mokoena (as
Thierry Umutoni), Ruth Negga (W.H.O. doctor), Pierfrancesco Favino
(W.H.O. Doctor). There’s even a blink-or-you’ll-miss-him cameo by Matthew
Fox, who enters within the frame in a subtle, matter-of-fact appearance.

The terror of the situation is
palpable, and yet while there is much cause to freak out, everyone takes
one small moment, in different intervals of the movie, to stay still
and quiet. You don’t want the zombies to hear you? Stay still. You
want to make it out alive? Keep your mouth shut. Shhhhh…

I appreciate World War Z,
because everything just…. happens, and it happens in a very
realistic manner. It’s enough to make you wonder if it’s time to start
stockpiling cases of water and canned food in your basement. Who can really predict when the world will end and by what means.
Unlike Contagion, another well-executed and frightening
portrayal about the end of civilization, the origins of this zombie
apocalypse are unknown, and that ladies and gentlemen, is the
scariest thing about this film. While The Walking Dead
continues to be the only zombie-centered show to dominate television,
World War Z is a worthy zombie movie to compete with all
zombie movies for its fearlessness and How to Survive the Zombie
Apocalypse 101 Survival Tips guidance.

So was it worth the wait? I say yes.
Whether you have read “World War Z” by Max Brooks or just want
to see Brad Pitt fight until his heart gives out (which does not
happen to Pitt’s character …the heart giving out
part that is), go see this movie and prepare yourself for the
expected sequel.

Candace
Smith is a native Philadelphian and graduate of Syracuse University
(BA) and City University of London (MA). After spending a few years
living in London, Candace returned to Philadelphia and continues to
forge a career as a freelance journalist, writer, blogger, actress,
and host.  

Last Candi’s Corner Post – Interview with new Evil Dead Director Fede Alvarez

LAMB Score: 5 out of 5

Philly Film Blog