Quick Review: World War Z (2013)

June 23, 2013 / Leave a Comment

WORLD WAR Z

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
JUNE 23, 2013

“World War Z” reaches beyond the run-of-the-mill Hollywood blockbuster and delivers a smart, thrilling, and often impressive zombie film. Led by Brad Pitt in one of his most genuine performances yet, the plot’s progression in this loose adaptation of Max Brooks’ novel of the same title benefits all the characters involved. It gets the most out of each performance and breaking stereotypical roles, like the helpless woman or the trigger happy Army recruit. Mireille Enos stands firm as the pillar of the Lane family and proves that her future in front of the camera is vital. With an entertaining and often horror-based feel, this film, at almost two hours, is over before you know it, where it easily could have been three hours and would have still kept my attention.

Many argue whether the portrayal of these zombies is correct or not. Seeing as they are infected with a rabies-like demeanor and are more interested in spreading than devouring, their fast-paced and animalistic nature helps keep the tension in this film as tight as can be, motivating them to run, jump, and kill as quickly as possible. There’s dark humor laced throughout the film, with moments like someone slipping and shooting themselves or the chattering teeth of a stalking zombie, on top of already smart production, with the “loop-hole” for escaping the zombies remaining very well cryptic until the “ah-ha” moment. “World War Z” could have easily been a mindless action thriller, but instead, Marc Forster has a gentle touch with the subject that makes this film a surprise hit of the summer.