The Film
Brad Pitt has charmed the pants off of many. Now he's going to use his rugged good looks and know-how to tame the zombie-verse. At least that's the idea in World War Z, a blockbuster that's loosely based on the novel by Max Brooks.
The zombie genre is alive and well -- at least as alive and well as the infected undead can be. Just don't expect to see any good, old fashioned brain-eating here. World War Z is actually rated PG-13 and for the most part, it's not even as gory as the typical episode of AMC's The Walking Dead.
That said, World War Z is creepy as hell. When the film was released theatrically, audiences cried foul over the fact that these zombies are more like a bunch of oozing marathon runners. However, that's pretty much the appeal of this movie. The rapid pace of the undead is pretty intense. It also helps to keep this film moving.
There's also Pitt, who plays Gerry Lane. Apparently, Gerry is the Brad Pitt of the United Nations, meaning he's a kind of a big deal. He also seems to be the only one able to save the world from a zombie apocalypse, so he exchanges his expertise for the safety of his family. Yes, in most horror-type flicks, a flock typically means we get to witness people getting picked off one by one. However, World War Z hangs onto that PG-13 rating tightly as we follow Gerry's battle to keep his family alive.
It works though, with action that's pretty non-stop from beginning to end. Yes, World War Z doesn't make you wait. Within minutes, zombies attack and the audience is thrown right in the middle of the action. People are getting mauled, transforming, looting; you name it. It's also that mayhem that will have you checking the locks and literally gripping your seat.
The Picture
World War Z is the type of movie that should be ripe for 3D. It's zombies, people! That said, these are converted zombies. The end result is sort of meh. That's not to say that it's all bad. It's just not as good as it should be. There's plenty of depth to be had here. The mayhem in the middle of Israel probably offers up the film's best 3D moments. For the most part, however, World War Z just never achieves the "pop" that you'd expect from this type of movie. Also, those effects sort of make the movie a bit confusing in some of the high-action moments. Zombies and their aftermath don't always have bright colors, making the film's 2.40:1 transfer a pretty dark one. Both the 2D and 3D do offer up some very sharp moments throughout, which is exactly what you'd expect from a newer flick. Just know that the 2D version is both brighter and better overall.
The Sound
Crunches, screaming and other mayhem; World War Z is a thrillride for your audio setup. Paramount has wisely given the film a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, which it uses every chance it gets. Gunfire rings throughout, helicopters swoop in, and glass is breaking all around. This mix really elevates the suspense in the film. However, it's worth noting that even in the film's quieter moments, there's an immersive feeling to the track. Also, the dialogue is crystal clear throughout.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Sure, Hollywood has watered down another book and isn't really delivering anything new (except speedy zombies) with this thriller. Is that so wrong? World War Z is extremely entertaining, has Brad Pitt saving the world, and delivers a heebie-jeebies-filled AV presentation. The 3D is probably this release's biggest disappointment, but that shouldn't detract you from picking this one up. Enjoy.
Product Details
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