World War Z

Zombies! They have been hot for a few years now. They make me much less sick than the whole “vampire craze”, that is thankfully dieing. Thanks to Twilight going the way of the dodo, we can now move on to apocalyptic-violence-filled-terror-and survival-films. I have thought about how our society has been obsessed with these types of stories for the past few years, and do we all want life to come to an end? Do we all secretly hate this mundane existence of drudgery? We just want to be pushed to the brink of survival, and have to fight the easiest enemies we can pick, slow moving-idiots, that just want to “consume”? Since 28 days later, we have seen new kind of zombie, the “running zombie”, little harder to get away from them now isn’t it?

Story (Plot)3-5 World War Z is based loosely on a book by Max Brooks, by the same name. The plot has changed a bit from the book. You guessed it, there is an outbreak, and people need to run for their lives from the crazed undead. Brad Pitt plays a U.N. investigator that must solve the mystery of this deadly outbreak, to find a way to stop it. Purists are upset that they changed the plot so much from the book, that the movie only shares “Zombies”. I think there is one key thing that the film and the book share, the idea of hope.

Production (Directing, Editing, Music) 4-5 Something that is really good about this movie, is that it is fun. The action scenes are visceral and make you cringe. The zombies are genuinely scary. They are so many, that they are like a wave of death, sweeping over everything. Never has a zombie film shown so many zombies, and with such veracity. The theme by Marco Beltrami, does it’s job, it is both ominous and fun. But is does lack some emotion. The connection between Brad and his wife could have been heightened, with the right music.  

Characters (Likability, Acting)4-5 Brad does a great job, and he is very enjoyable to watch, as ever. But what I really enjoyed in this film is the side characters. The characters that make tough choices to save Brad’s life. They ones that are holding it all together in this crazy world of the undead. The soldiers that save his life, the young scientist, the female Israeli soldier that does not quite. The no name side characters make this movie fun and enjoyable to watch. Brad is just icing on the cake.

Writing (Dialogue, Cleverness) 4-5 They say “zombies”! This is unheard of in the zombie genre. Very few movies characters ever know what the undead are let alone call them this. It’s so taboo, that Shaun of the dead film makes fun of the fact Nick Frost’s character calls them that. I think it’s an interesting idea, and I am ok with the rule being broken. The cleverness in this film lies in seeing how the world responds to this outbreak. You don’t just the family man, trying to survive with his family in the crazy. You see how the military responds. They are ready to evacuate and fight back. It might be far-fetched, but it is a nice refresher in a played out storyline.

Emotions (Was it; Fun, Scary, Sad, Do I care) 4-5 This film does many things very right. They make you feel the gravity of what’s going on, but not sacrificing the role of one man in all of it. I think this movie is just pure rollercoaster, sure it’s got some tropes and unbelievable-ness to it. But it’s a summer blockbuster thrill ride! I never was not engrossed and felt exactly what they wanted me to feel.

Overall score 19-25 This film is just another money grab for something that is hot right now. But in the zombie genre is it something fun and enjoyable to watch. Versus all the bleak and death in zombie films, this film has heart and hope. Some people might think that is lame or optimistic, but I liked it. People are fixated on the end of the world, sometimes, and it’s nice to think that there are people out there that will fight back and not turn into crazed-selfish-murders, in a world filled with zombies, that don’t like us either.

Man of Steel

I was always not a big fan of superman. He always seemed like kind of a simple character, and like most, I felt like he was overpowered. How can you get the humanity of character that is so far from being human? He can’t feel things as simple as love and a sense of duty. I always felt his thought process was like “ I have super powers, I must use them for good”, pretty boring right? You never feel like he asks the question of, “Why should I use my powers?”

Story (Plot)4-5 Man of Steel seemed to be the same sort of film. Superman will get into trouble and he will have to make tough choices and fly around and stop things that will be superhuman. The story goes in a direction that I was not expecting. There is the normal superman origin, with Kryptone dieing and parents sending him off to live on Earth. Baby Superman being found by Kansas farmers, all sounds very familiar. But the way that the story is structured and told throughout the film, you are not bored or impatient through these scenes. Never feeling like you are waiting for the new story to come along.

Production (Directing, Editing, Music)4-5 This really comes down to fantastic editing, knowing the audience is familiar with the story, but you still have to tell it. You can either retell the story and bore half the audience, or not tell the it and have the other half lost. I am please with how Zach Snyder , the director, handled this. Get right into the meat of the story and have flashbacks to tell his origin. Fantastic choice, and doesn’t stop the plot moving forward. This movie had another great score by Hans Zimmer, for the first time, they are going away from the original score by John Williams. Hans does a great job as ever, and although I enjoy the original score, it was nice to hear something fresh and new. After all this movie is just that.

Characters (Likability, Acting) 5-5 Henry Cavill plays Kal-El/Superman/Clark Kent. I think he does a decent job of it.  Amy Adams was fantastic as Lois Lane, and just what you would expect from a smart pushing reporter. After all what is Superman without her leading lady. Something that is unique to Superman is his relationship with Lois, and these actors make you feel like they are close and understand each other. In my eyes who really steals the show is Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner, the two parts of Superman’s father hood. These two seasoned actors really bring heart and love to their performances. You understand who they feel about their son and their hopes and dreams for him.

Writing (Dialogue, Cleverness)5-5 I have to say this was top notch the whole way. The dialogue felt fresh and free of silliness. You feel like they can be serious and humorous, without skipping a beat. They really make you understand the root of who superman is as a person. You can see and feel the tough choices we has to make. I really have never felt like I understood Superman’s character better because of the writing and the ideas they portray. You think about past Superman films and they pale in comparison. This film is dealing with some next level ideas of who superman is and why he fights for humanity.

Emotions (Was it; Fun, Scary, Sad, Do I care)5-5 This film has the heart

that makes you care for the characters as well as gets you pumped up when action starts. They intensity of some action scenes are so amazing. You are on the edge of your seat for the last hour. Your heart pumping and eye dazzling with the splendid adventure of it. This film has those moments that make you pump your fist into the air, cheering for the good guys to win.  I had so much fun watching this movie, I got out of the theater and immediately wanted to watch it again.

Overall score 23-25 There is an interesting twist in the storytelling that I did not realize till afterwards. There is no scenes of Superman getting cats out of trees or stopping a bank robbery. The only things he has to deal with are life or death. Superman is not the superhero that deals with the little stuff. As Superman has been portrayed before. He is a force for good. For mankind and the protection of “american Ideals” Freedom and protection of those who can’t protect themselves. He is a man raised to fight for good, who just happens to be Super.