Shaun of the Dead - The ‘Cornetto Trilogy’ Part I

Many a film – and in particular zombie film – seems to be based on a pun (‘Flight of the Living Dead’ I’m looking at you).  However, few actually exhibit enough originality to be worthy of the film they’re based on. ‘Shaun’ changes all that.  In 2004 zombies were still relatively uncommon on the cinema screen.  You had the ‘Resident Evil’ films and that was about it.  Therefore, being dumped by one’s girlfriend on the same day the dead come back to life and start eating the living, was definitely something a bit different back then.

It’s fair to say that ‘Shaun of the Dead’ is a classic.  Since its release it’s been imitated plenty of times and none of them have really done as well.  The fact is that ‘Shaun’ is just damn funny, while at the same time being pretty horrific when it tries and even touching and sentimental when the mood takes it.  Therefore, despite largely being lumped into the ‘horror’ genre, its appeal actually stretches much further to those looking for a good comedy, or even a ‘date movie’ to share with someone.

Simon Pegg plays not exactly a loser, but certainly an underachiever.  His titular character, Shaun, is generally coasting through life, never really applying himself.  All he wants to do is hang out at the local pub with his mate, Ed (who definitely IS a loser!).  It’s no wonder his girlfriend, Liz, is getting more than a little sick of his lack of drive.  However, that all changes when the dead rise from the grave and he hatches a plan to save those he loves (and even a few of those he doesn’t – Liz’s flatmate to be precise). 

What follows is a jaunt across a zombie-infested London as they desperately try to get to safety.  And, in Shaun’s mind ‘safety’ equals the local pub where he spends pretty much all his life.  What works best about the film is the way the characters play off each other.  They’re pretty much all friends in real life (check out some of the other films and TV they’ve been in), therefore they’re all used to working with each other and, more importantly, playing off each other.  You really get the impression that they really are a bunch of friends, caught up in a life or death situation.

Bottom line, if you like horror, you’ll like this.  If you like comedy, you’ll still like it.  And, in case you’re wondering what the ‘cornetto’ reference is in the title – this happens to be the first film in the fabled ‘cornetto trilogy.’ Simon Pegg wrote the film with his friend (and director) Edgar Wright.  Together they wrote a further two films, all subtly working in a nice ice cream into the mix.  If you like Shaun of the Dead, try ‘Hot Fuzz’ (comedy and action) and ‘The World’s End’ (comedy and sci-fi), all the time watching out for the cornetto reference.

9/10 almost as perfect as The Godfather