Shaun of the Dead: Difference between revisions
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As with ''Spaced'', in keeping with Pegg and Wright's adoration of the horror genre and specific films within that genre, as well as popular culture in general, there are many in-jokes and references to other films, television programs and pop-culture artifacts. These take the form of character names, scenes, snippets of dialogue and background materials, and are made both overtly (such as David's death scene in ''Shaun'', which reflects the similar death of Rhodes in ''Day of the Dead'', and the use of the phrase "We're coming to get you, Barbara!") or in a more subtle fashion (such as 'Foree Electronics', Shaun's workplace, being a reference to [[Ken Foree]], a star of ''Dawn of the Dead''). |
As with ''Spaced'', in keeping with Pegg and Wright's adoration of the horror genre and specific films within that genre, as well as popular culture in general, there are many in-jokes and references to other films, television programs and pop-culture artifacts. These take the form of character names, scenes, snippets of dialogue and background materials, and are made both overtly (such as David's death scene in ''Shaun'', which reflects the similar death of Rhodes in ''Day of the Dead'', and the use of the phrase "We're coming to get you, Barbara!") or in a more subtle fashion (such as 'Foree Electronics', Shaun's workplace, being a reference to [[Ken Foree]], a star of ''Dawn of the Dead''). |
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Prominent are many references to [[George A. Romero]]'s ''Dead'' movies (''[[Night of the Living Dead|Night]]'', ''[[Dawn of the Dead (1978 film)|Dawn]]'' and ''[[Day of the Dead (film)|Day of the Dead]]'', with ''Dawn'' in particular being referenced). In particular, the plot of ''Shaun'' relates directly to the plots of many of Romero's zombie movies — all of which involve several people trapped in a building, with flesh-eating zombies attempting to break in to devour them, without a direct explanation (or numerous conflicting explanations) for the cause of the zombie plague. The title ''Shaun of the Dead'' is also both an obvious parody of and homage to the title ''Dawn of the Dead''. Numerous lines, scenes and background details also directly refer to the Romero movies, including the music playing under the Universal logo, which is the synthesizer soundtrack to ''Dawn of the Dead''. |
Prominent are many references to [[George A. Romero]]'s ''Dead'' movies (''[[Night of the Living Dead|Night]]'', ''[[Dawn of the Dead (1978 film)|Dawn]]'' , ''[[Land of the Dead]] and ''[[Day of the Dead (film)|Day of the Dead]]'', with ''Dawn'' in particular being referenced). In particular, the plot of ''Shaun'' relates directly to the plots of many of Romero's zombie movies — all of which involve several people trapped in a building, with flesh-eating zombies attempting to break in to devour them, without a direct explanation (or numerous conflicting explanations) for the cause of the zombie plague. The title ''Shaun of the Dead'' is also both an obvious parody of and homage to the title ''Dawn of the Dead''. Numerous lines, scenes and background details also directly refer to the Romero movies, including the music playing under the Universal logo, which is the synthesizer soundtrack to ''Dawn of the Dead''. |
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Other than Romero's work, many other references to horror movies (particularly zombie movies) are made, such as [[Ash Williams|Ash]], the main character of the ''[[The Evil Dead]]'' series, ''[[28 Days Later]]'' and the movies of horror directors [[Lucio Fulci]] and [[John Carpenter]]. More diversely, references to ''[[Blade (comics)|Blade]]'', ''[[The Deer Hunter]]'', ''[[Reservoir Dogs]]'', the films of [[James Cameron]] and the ''[[Star Wars]]'' trilogy can be found. Several references to video games involving zombies, including ''[[Resident Evil]]'', ''[[TimeSplitters 2]]'' and ''[[Zombies Ate My Neighbors]]'', are also present. |
Other than Romero's work, many other references to horror movies (particularly zombie movies) are made, such as [[Ash Williams|Ash]], the main character of the ''[[The Evil Dead]]'' series, ''[[28 Days Later]]'' and the movies of horror directors [[Lucio Fulci]] and [[John Carpenter]]. More diversely, references to ''[[Blade (comics)|Blade]]'', ''[[The Deer Hunter]]'', ''[[Reservoir Dogs]]'', the films of [[James Cameron]] and the ''[[Star Wars]]'' trilogy can be found. Several references to video games involving zombies, including ''[[Resident Evil]]'', ''[[TimeSplitters 2]]'' and ''[[Zombies Ate My Neighbors]]'', are also present. |
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Revision as of 01:40, 19 June 2007
| Shaun of the Dead | |
|---|---|
| File:Shaun-of-the-Dead.jpg UK film poster for Shaun of the Dead | |
| Directed by | Edgar Wright |
| Written by | Simon Pegg Edgar Wright |
| Produced by | Nira Park |
| Starring | Simon Pegg Kate Ashfield Nick Frost Lucy Davis |
| Distributed by | Template:Country data Earth United International Pictures Rogue Pictures |
Release dates |  April 9, 2004 September 24, 2004 |
Running time | 95 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | UK £4 million (est.)[1][2] |
Shaun of the Dead is a zombie-themed romantic comedy (or "zom rom com" as it dubs itself) or zombie comedy released in 2004. It was written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, directed by Edgar Wright, and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. It was a critical and commercial success in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
The plot focuses on Shaun, an unmotivated young man who is attempting to get some kind of focus in his life as he reconciles with his ex-girlfriend and settles his various issues with his mother and stepfather. At the same time he has to cope with an apocalyptic uprising of zombies that is causing society to collapse.
Plot
Shaun is an appliance salesman who is going nowhere in life; he follows a mundane routine, and his girlfriend Liz is dissatisfied with their relationship, primarily because it revolves around going to the Winchester, Shaun's favourite pub. He also has issues with his beloved mother Barbara, his hated stepfather Phillip, his increasingly unhappy flatmate Pete, and a dissatisfying job where his younger co-workers show him no respect. Following a broken promise to do something special for their anniversary, Liz dumps Shaun. Shaun then decides to drown his sorrows at the pub with his other flatmate Ed, his loyal best friend. After a night of drinking, he has an epiphany and resolves to sort his life out.
Unfortunately, this revelation comes at the same time that London is swamped with an uprising of the undead, who are beginning to attack and devour the living. Shaun comes to realise the gravity of the situation after having a close shave with a zombie he assumed to be a drunk in his garden. Shaun (along with Ed) proceeds to rescue his loved ones from the epidemic. Shaun and Ed decide to take Liz, along with Barbara, Phillip, and Liz's friends David and Dianne, to the Winchester to ride out the plague.
During their journey to the pub, Philip is mortally wounded and delivers a heart-wrenching speech about being a father to Shaun before turning into a zombie. The remaining group find the Winchester besieged by undead, but Shaun manages to draw the zombies away while the others barricade themselves inside. Shaun returns to the pub claiming that he gave the zombies the slip, but the zombies followed him, and soon break in. Barbara is shot by Shaun after becoming a zombie, David is torn apart and eaten, Dianne charges outside in a vain attempt to save David, Ed is left behind after being bitten (for the sake of his friends), and Shaun has a final confrontation with a zombified Pete. Shaun and Liz, who have reconciled over the course of the day, survive and are saved by the British Army.
Six months after the zombie outbreak, society has returned to normal, and zombies have now become a part of everyday life, being used as cheap labour and game show participants. Shaun and Liz move in together — along with Ed, now a zombie, who secretly 'lives' in the garden shed.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Simon Pegg | Shaun |
| Kate Ashfield | Liz |
| Nick Frost | Ed |
| Lucy Davis | Dianne |
| Dylan Moran | David |
| Penelope Wilton | Barbara |
| Bill Nighy | Philip |
| Peter Serafinowicz | Pete |
| Jessica Stevenson | Yvonne |
Background
The movie is notable for the kinetic directorial style used by Wright and its references to other movies, television shows and video games. In this way, it is similar to the British television sitcom Spaced, which both Pegg and Wright worked on (Pegg as co-creator, writer and star, Wright as director). In particular, the movie contains many homages to previous zombie and horror movies, most notably the Dead trilogy of George A. Romero. The name of the film is a play on Romero's Dawn of the Dead.
The film was initially inspired by an episode of Spaced, written by Pegg (along with his writing partner and co-star Jessica Stevenson, who also appears in Shaun as Yvonne) and directed by Wright, in which the character of Tim (Pegg), under the influence of amphetamine, the PlayStation video game Resident Evil 2, and twiglets, hallucinates that he's fighting off a zombie invasion. The two men enjoyed making the episode a great deal and, having discovered a mutual appreciation for the Dead trilogy of Romero, decided to write and make their own zombie movie. Spaced was to be a big influence on the making of Shaun, as it was directed by Wright in a similar style, and featured many of the same cast and crew in minor and major roles (as well as Pegg, Wright and Stevenson, Nick Frost — who played Mike in Spaced — has a starring role in Shaun as Ed, and Peter Serafinowicz — Duane Benzie in Spaced — appeared in Shaun as Pete).
The film is notable for the number of British comedians, comic actors and sitcom stars present in its cast, most prominently from Spaced, Black Books and the original British version of The Office. As well as the cast members previously mentioned as having appeared in Spaced, Shaun also stars Dylan Moran, well-known as Bernard Black in Black Books, and Lucy Davis, who played Dawn in The Office. In addition to this, cameo appearances are made by Martin Freeman (Tim in The Office), Tamsin Greig (Fran in Black Books, Caroline in Green Wing), Julia Deakin (Marsha in Spaced), Reece Shearsmith (a member of 'The League of Gentlemen') and Matt Lucas (writer/co-star of Little Britain). In addition, the voices of Mark Gatiss ('The League of Gentlemen') and Julia Davis (Nighty Night) can be heard as radio news presenters, as can David Walliams ('Little Britain') who provides the voice of an unseen TV reporter. Many other comics and comic actors appear in extremely brief appearances as zombies, including Rob Brydon, Pamela Kempthorne (Morticia de'Ath in The Vampires of Bloody Island), Joe Cornish, Peter Kay (Phoenix Nights), Antonia Campbell-Hughes (from the Jack Dee sit com Lead Balloon) and Michael Smiley (Tyres in Spaced).
The production was filmed entirely in London, primarily at Ealing Studios, and involved production companies Working Title Films and StudioCanal. An early working title was Tea Time of the Dead, as was Dwight of the Living Dead. Zombie extras were mainly fans of Spaced (who responded to a casting call organized through the Spaced fan website 'Spaced Out') or local residents who, curious at what was happening, asked if they could take part.
References
As with Spaced, in keeping with Pegg and Wright's adoration of the horror genre and specific films within that genre, as well as popular culture in general, there are many in-jokes and references to other films, television programs and pop-culture artifacts. These take the form of character names, scenes, snippets of dialogue and background materials, and are made both overtly (such as David's death scene in Shaun, which reflects the similar death of Rhodes in Day of the Dead, and the use of the phrase "We're coming to get you, Barbara!") or in a more subtle fashion (such as 'Foree Electronics', Shaun's workplace, being a reference to Ken Foree, a star of Dawn of the Dead).
Prominent are many references to George A. Romero's Dead movies (Night, Dawn , Land of the Dead and Day of the Dead, with Dawn in particular being referenced). In particular, the plot of Shaun relates directly to the plots of many of Romero's zombie movies — all of which involve several people trapped in a building, with flesh-eating zombies attempting to break in to devour them, without a direct explanation (or numerous conflicting explanations) for the cause of the zombie plague. The title Shaun of the Dead is also both an obvious parody of and homage to the title Dawn of the Dead. Numerous lines, scenes and background details also directly refer to the Romero movies, including the music playing under the Universal logo, which is the synthesizer soundtrack to Dawn of the Dead.
Other than Romero's work, many other references to horror movies (particularly zombie movies) are made, such as Ash, the main character of the The Evil Dead series, 28 Days Later and the movies of horror directors Lucio Fulci and John Carpenter. More diversely, references to Blade, The Deer Hunter, Reservoir Dogs, the films of James Cameron and the Star Wars trilogy can be found. Several references to video games involving zombies, including Resident Evil, TimeSplitters 2 and Zombies Ate My Neighbors, are also present.
A short clip of the music video to The Smiths' single "Panic" is shown in the movie, where the line "Panic on the streets of London" is heard while Shaun is flicking through TV channels. Additionally, a remix of a song by the group Zombie Nation, called "Kernkraft 400", is heard during one scene while Shaun is on a bus. The original score by Pete Woodhead and Daniel Mudford is a pastiche of Italian zombie film soundtracks by artists like Goblin and Fabio Frizzi. Also, amongst the news broadcasts at the end of the film, one can hear the newscaster make a reference to the "Rage Virus" and being "bitten by an infected monkey", references to 28 Days Later and Peter Jackson's Braindead.
Reception
Shaun of the Dead was released on April 9, 2004 in the United Kingdom and September 24, 2004 in the United States.
The film proved both a commercial and critical success. In its opening weekend in the U.S., Shaun earned $3.3M, taking 8th place at the box office despite a limited release to only 607 theatres (compared to the usual 2000-3000 for other top 10 entries). In the UK it took in £1.6M at 307 cinemas on its opening weekend and netted £6.4M by mid-May. The film has earned $30 million worldwide in box office receipts since its release.
Critical reaction was largely positive, with the movie receiving a score of 89% at the comparative review website Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 76 out of 100 at Metacritic.[3][4] In 2004 the magazine Total Film named Shaun of the Dead the 49th greatest British film of all time. In 2005, it was rated as the 3rd greatest comedy film of all time in a Channel 4 poll.[5] With positive reviews, the film has acquired a certain cult following among audiences, especially those who were fans of Pegg and Wright's work before the film was released. [6]
George A. Romero was so impressed with Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's work that he asked them to appear in cameo roles in Land of the Dead, the fourth part of his "Dead" series. Pegg and Wright insisted on being zombies rather than the slightly more noticeable roles that were originally offered (as revealed in a DVD interview).
In 2006, the National Entertainment Collectibles Association announced that they would be producing action figures based on the film as part of their Cult Classics line that features fan favorite characters from various genre films.
Pegg and Wright also scripted a one-off tie-in comic strip for the British comic magazine 2000AD entitled "There's Something About Mary". Set the day before the zombie outbreak as depicted in the film, the strip follows and expands on the character of Mary, the first zombie whom Shaun and Ed encounter, and details how she became a zombie. It features expanded appearances from many of the minor or background characters who appear in the film. The strip was made available on the DVD release of Shaun.
See also
References
- ^ "Night Of The Laughing Dead". DVDVerdict. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ "Interview with film's stars". EchoOnline. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ "Shaun of the Dead (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ "Shaun of the Dead". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ "50 Greatest Comedy Films". Channel 4. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ "Shaun of the Dead, A Romantic Comedy. With Zombies". The MovieHamlet. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
External links
- Shaun of the Dead website (UK release)
- Shaun of the Dead website (US release)
- Shaun of the Dead at IMDb
- Shaun of the Dead at Rotten Tomatoes
- Shaun of the Dead at Box Office Mojo
- Shaun of the Dead at StillTwitching.com
- Movie Locations Guide
- Shaun of the Dead Winchester 2 Pack figures from NECA at Action-figure.com
- Hilarious Movie T-shirts, retrieved on March 19, 2007.
- Shaun of the Dead.com