On the Z in World War Z

Horror fans have one very specific rule about how they want their cinematic zombies; they want them played by real people with old-fashioned make up. This could be why the tense and enjoyable I Am Legend (2007) suffered: CGI zombies.

Like I Am Legend, World War Z is an adaptation of a well-regarded graphic novel. Unlike I Am Legend, its problems in production were well publicised. After some test footage, makers of World War Z realised that their computed generated zombies were not welcome. This was followed by a statement claiming that they had adopted the Jaws (1975) concept: save the reveal till the end. A statement that only illuminated the problems they’d been having. The results, one would expect, would be messy.

As it happens, amongst the remakes, sequels, prequels, spin off etc, this adaptation is the most entertaining blockbuster of the summer so far. Whatever problems they were facing have been salvaged and while the result may not be a horror film it is a very effective thriller – with zombies.  The zombies are computer generated when en masse, but the close ups (few and far between) are real actors and undeniably creepy.

Director Marc Forster has created some fantastic set pieces as the story globe trots from Israel to Cardiff. Added to this is an intelligent and fresh take on the zombie legend and a strong central performance from Brad Pitt, playing his ex-UN investigator raw rather than warrior. From start to end World War Z is tense and, for someone who is not a zombie enthusiast, contains zombies that carry a fast, aggressive threat.