Sunday, May 17, 2015

Movie review - "World War Z" (2013) ***1/2

How much longer is this zombie boom going to last? Now Brad Pitt has gotten in on the act with a $250 million or whatever it cost epic... and it's actually pretty good. This is really a series of set pieces - the initial attack (fantastic spectacle), a shoot out in Korea, a siege in Jerusalem, through hospital corridors in Cardiff.

There's not a lot of character development but there are some fine actors, pleasing pro-UN propaganda, and refreshing multi-national/racial look at the problem instead of making it all about America. Mireille Enos actually makes the thankless role of Brad Pitt's wife into something memorable and Daniella Kertesz is a find as the tough Israeli soldier.

Interesting how in the film's troubled shooting, they originally ended with a massive battle but then went smaller, and went to character - just like what happened with Kaufman and Hart and their play Once in a Lifetime. When in doubt, go to character.

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