Zombies are everywhere in Marc Forster’s new apocalyptic thriller, “World War Z.” And there’s nothing that can keep these terrifyingly animalistic creatures from swarming the streets of the biggest cities in the world, changing everyone they come in contact with.
I was not expecting much from this movie in fear that it’d be another cheesy, half-baked attempt at making zombies interesting through excessive gore and violence. We’ve seen it all before, a zombie outbreak occurs and a group of healthy humans band together to overcome their destruction and chaos.
While the movie stays true to this traditional theme, the story is told in a way that’s refreshingly intelligent, endlessly thrilling and ironically, very human.
Brad Pitt offers a phenomenal lead performance as a United Nations investigator turned family man, Gerry Lane.
Lane is reluctantly forced back into his old life when he agrees to lead a world mission in search of a cause of the worldwide zombie outbreak.
The movie isn’t your typical zombie flick relying on blood, guts and gore to convey the idea of mayhem; it tackles world issues to make what’s happening seem very real and possible, offering a look at how the world would be impacted were something like this to ever occur.
For example, by emphasizing the importance of each place Lane visits and how they play a part in the world, the movie works to show how a single issue can transcend global disagreements. Even hinting at a potential bridge between the war torn countries of Israel and Palestine.
Fueled by the love for his family, Lane fights through everything that stands in his way. Pitt brings this passion to the screen, making the movie less about the zombies and more about one man who will stop at nothing to protect his family.
Through his travels, Lane uses his extraordinary analytical skills to piece together a way to combat the outbreak. The movie culminates with a suspenseful sequence where he might just find a way to do so.
With the zombie apocalypse scenario getting play in almost every form of pop culture, “World War Z” offers a surprisingly refreshing and mature take on an otherwise old idea.
This movie deserves a 9/10. With an invigorating plot and extreme action sequences, “World War Z” is exhilarating throughout and bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.
