World War Z

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“Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.”

While Max Brooks may have written the book, this is just loosely based off of it. I want to let you know. Because I got to sit and speak horror with Max (we spoke about how I don’t see Pinhead and Candyman as villains because you actually have to summon them as well,) I have read WWZ, and his insight and forethought is way better in the book.

That being said, if you look at this movie as a movie, you have a great zombie film. So, that’s how we’re going to take it.

Human reaction and human preparedness is a huge factor in this movie. The main character, Gerry, played by Brad Pitt, happens to be high on the chain in both of those. His prior work in a government agency has trained him with skills that most people wouldn’t really think about. And this plays big as the opening wastes no time diving into the action.

Some of the first beef some people have with this movie is that it’s fast zombies. Now, no matter your view, the other thing that seems to be newer in this is the speed that they turn. Although, I think it’s pretty fast in “28 Days Later” but that’s still on the list to watch. (I know, I know. I should have seen it by now. You can mock me in the comments.) In the opening scene Gerry counts and it’s a 12 second turn. That’s pretty scary fast. I also like how Gerry figures out it has to be a bite instead of just getting the blood in your mouth.

Major cities will always be the first to fall. I mean, think about it. The dense population is ripe for infestation. I like to call it that instead of infection because it’s like when a swarm of cockroaches get in your house. That seems to be the crux of this type of zombie.

There is also the good in people that comes out. From the small family who let Gerry and his family into their apartment to the crowds that gathered in hope in Jerusalem. What is sad to me is that it takes something of that magnitude to bring it out. (Instead of hoarding toilet paper and saying how wearing a mask violates your “rights.” Sorry, I don’t agree with the entitlement that happened during the pandemic.)

And can we talk about how badass Segen is? She gets her hand chopped off by Gerry and still is like “I got this. Just give me a shot.”

This movie is like “action, action, action, five seconds to breathe, then more action.” I love that.

SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT

This isn’t the end. I mean, it’s the end of the movie but not the story. Because they’re not really sure what it is. All they know is that now they’ve found a way to hide from it and give themselves time. They create that vaccine (sorry anti-vac) and the duplication of disease keeps them from hunting since they need a healthy host. And I LOVE how Gerry is just walking through the hoard sipping on his soda like a boss.

As far as zombie movies go, this is actually a favorite for it’s non-stop action and the way you care that Gerry make it back to his family. Watch.