World War Z (the movie)

[Dave Gray]

So, I saw this.

As a standalone Zombie film, it's pretty enjoyable.  It does a few things that are unique -- the resolution idea was pretty cool and something I'd not seen and the way that zombies turn (fast and violent) was different.

However, I read this book and it was hard for me to detach myself from what this movie wasn't.  Never in my life have I ever seen an adaptation that had less to do with the source material.  I mean...nothing....the characters, the concept, the tone, the antagonist(s), the resolution, the setting -- everything was its own thing.  I can't believe they actually paid for the name.

And this movie had major production issues.  They filmed the ending that was never used and went it after the fact, re-wrote and re-filmed an entirely new ending.  It worked, I guess.  The film itself was good, but definitely not great.  It's one of the better zombie movies ever made, but I'm of the opinion that most zombie movies aren't that great to begin with.

[Phishfan]

I'm of the opinion that most zombie movies aren't that great to begin with.

Thanks for the review. This line shocked me though as I thought you were a zombie enthusiast. I feel the same way about Zombie movies and that is why I do not watch them.

[Dave Gray]

Thanks for the review. This line shocked me though as I thought you were a zombie enthusiast.

I am.  I like the concept of zombies very much and when they're done well, I love them.  Recently, zombie movies have been pretty good.  I like:
- 28 Days/Weeks Later
- Dawn of the Dead (2004)
- Shaun of the Dead
- Zombieland
- The Walking Dead
- World War Z

But most of the older stuff just doesn't do it for me and is more corny than good.

I think that the book World War Z is one of my favorites -- perhaps my favorite book.  It's great.  It's thought-provoking, it's awesome.  The movie is a fun action flick, but shares no similarities.  I whole-heartedly recommend the book to everyone (especially non-zombie fans).  It "grounds" the threat into a reality that makes it palpable for all audiences.  The movie is fine, but you'll take nothing with you.

[Phishfan]

Aha. That clears it up pretty well. For the record, I did like Shaun of the Dead & Zombieland. I guess it was the comedic aspect of them.

[Sunstroke]

I enjoy a good zombie movie, and agree with Dave that most of the older ones are heavy on the corn. I really enjoyed 28 Days/Weeks Later, but my favorite zombie flick to this point has to be Zombieland. That movie had everything...gore, romance, comedy, even a zombie clown. Woody Harrelson's search for a Twinkie ("Where are you, you spongy, yellow, delicious bastards?"), and Eisenberg's compilation of survival tips simply made it a unique and thoroughly enjoyable entry in the world of undead movies. It's the only zombie movie that's made it to my "If I see that it's on, I'll change channels to watch it again" list.

Still looking forward to WWZ though, even if the only thing it shares with the book (which was fucking awesome) is the name.

[bsfins]

Good to know...I was curious about this one...

I liked Warm Bodies,I rented it recently,sort of the same type of story as BBC America's in the flesh.I liked Warm Bodies better though...

[bsmooth]

I think this sets the record for not having anything to do with the original source it is supposed to be based on.

[Tenshot13]

Rec and Rec 2 are great Zombie flicks if you can stand subtitles.  Think Blair Witch with zombies.

[Thundergod]

WWZ was damn good.  Don't care about the book, so I was good with the film. The "zombies" kind of reminded me of the "infected" in I Am Legend, I even joked with my sister about WWZ being the prequel to it, but I digress. As far as zombie flicks,  I have to agree with 'stroke, Zombieland is God. 

[mecadonzilla]

I thought it was a pretty watchable zombie movie.  I did find it strikingly low on the gore factor meter considering the genre, but I suppose this summer movie was looking for a wider distribution.  Either way, it was well done.

I haven't read the book, but I've enjoyed Max Brooks' previous work.  I'm sure the book is better, but that's always the case.  It's good to see the progeny of Mel succeeding regardless.

[Brian Fein]

I haven't read the book, but I saw WWZ over the weekend and I thought it was OK.  I liked the move, don't get me wrong.  But some suspension of disbelief is required to fully enjoy it. 

I thought I Am Legend was better.  Technically, I'm not sure that's considered a zombie move, though.

I kinda had a better plot line in my own mind than what they actually did though.  That makes me wonder about the motives of the production staff.  I'd be interested to see the alternate ending that got replaced.

[Dave Gray]

The original ending of the film:

The plane travels to Russia (not Wales, like in the film).  Upon arrival, the survivors are rounded up.  The weak and old are executed and the rest are forced into a makeshift military.

Fast forward several months.

Brad Pitt now has a beard and is shown to be an avid zombie hunter, using a Shaolin spade...kind of like a sharp shovel.  Meanwhile, thinking her husband is dead, Pitt's wife is essentially prostituting herself out to Matthew Fox (shown briefly at the beginning of the movie), an army guy with connections, in order to keep her family safe.

Pitt learns of this and after clearing his way through Russia to the coast, boards a boat to head back to America.

Roll credits.

[Brian Fein]

That's not just an ending, that's 1/3 of the movie and changes the entire plot and Pitt's character.

I feel like parts of that are better, other parts are much, much worse.

Which ending is closer to that of the book?  (Or do you not want to spoil it?)