Welcome to my blog, the story of my continuing journey into the World of Zombie Wargames.

Monday 21 July 2014

World War Z - Quick Review

I've had a pretty busy time over the last 5 days, a visiting blogger's arrival and the inevitable gaming session following, with two fellow bloggers! I will of course be posting about all our adventures in a future blog when I catch my breath.
Having held back watching WWZ as long as I could though, I have finally managed to pluck up the courage to watch it.
If you like Brad Pitt, fast zombies and haven't read the book then this film will probably make it into your top-ten of of zombie films. I like neither of the above and I have read the book, so it doesn't make it into my top ten.
The production values of film are what you'd expect from a "blockbuster" Hollywood epic, with no expense spared and even though it runs at about two hours for the extended version I watched it does move along at a rapid pace, and there is little to no characterisation probably because of the pace. I actually didn't care whether or not Mr Pitt's character survived or not, he was so memorable that I can't even remember his character's name.
Unlike a lot of reviewers I didn't mind the obvious CGI used extensively for the "big" zombie scenes", I guess it's so common-place now in films that I expect them., and they're not that bad in this film imo.
I do however like a plausible plot line, a storyline that isn't full of holes and makes more sense than in this.
Ignoring the fact that the film has nothing to do with the book save the use of the title, it had many features I didn't like. The fast zombies didn't have the look of zombies I now expect (the Walking Dead does have "the look") and their incessant sprinting, which does give them their lethal aspect,  just doesn't appeal to me. Similarly when victims turn into zombies, it's almost instantaneous, another feature which is a great film mechanism for keeping the action going but does little to build any sense of suspense or impending doom.

It is of course a film that you have to watch at some time if you're into action films and/or zombies but have the popcorn handy. I'd rate it as no more than a 3 on my scale .

Next week, when things here have returned to what passes as normality, I'll tell of our shopping sprees and games, so watch this space.

 That's all for this week except to welcome  my latest follower "Uniteallaction" and to say that as always your comments are both welcomed and appreciated.

20 comments:

  1. I got this film for Xmas and watched it only once. That says it all I guess.

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  2. I remember feeling a little disappointed, but will be happy to give it another go.

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    1. I was very surprised I didn't enjoy it more, maybe I'd watch it again, but I doubt it.

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  3. I haven't even bothered yet. Will save it for a rainy quiet night in and stock up on the popcorn

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  4. Whilst nothing like the book(a travesty), I found the film to be "ok" but more in the vein of 28 days later, so not a "real" zombie movie. What was cool, the fact they ended up in Wales with Doctor Who.

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    1. It was OK, if you ignore the book, but Wales ? Seriously ?

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  5. Nothing like the book but worth a watch, pure popcorn!

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    1. Asolutely AL, I'm of the same opinion.

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  6. I had high hopes for this film, especially since some of it was filmed not far from where I live. Also, I have nothing against Mr. Pitt as an actor. However, everything that I've heard suggests that the movie is a stinker. Pity...

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    1. I too had high hopes and Brad isn't bad in it, although its good by most film standards, as a zombie film it just doesn't work imo.

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  7. Quite simply it is the biggest pile of shit imaginable. Just don't get me started on how bad it is! One viewing of this film is one viewing too many!

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    1. So you didn't like it I take ? You know fine well we still have to watch it because, well it is a zombie film and we've all watched a lot worse (maye not by much)

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  8. I applaud you Joe I only got as far as Israel before turning it off. Despite the same reasons you mention above it just got boring with the same scenario re-occuring over and over.

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    1. Yep Brummie, you're absolutely right a lot of it seems to be the same scene over and over (not unlike a lot of films where there are car chases galore). At times they seem to have run out of ideas, surprisingly I feel considering that they had a blank canvas really to work on, and given that they weren't following the book in any event.

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  9. I agree with the general assessment that this is a stinking pile of poo. I will say that the first 30 minutes or so (before the helicopter to ship part) was actually pretty decent. I abhor the fast zombies, but the looting, running, hiding and the tension in the apartment building is pretty good. Too bad they went from that to a video game, and ignored their source material. sigh, oh well.

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    1. I think you've summed it up better than me with "video game" after they leave the apartment block.

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  10. I'm very much in agreement with you about this film Joe. It is a real shame, as they could have actually made a good film had they used even _some_ of the story from the book ...

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    1. Yes, even just some of the story from the book in vevidence would have helped it, if it wasn't at the stage where it is now -beyond help !

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