Review: World War Z

Angelina Jolie is not in this film – I just needed to get that bit of admin cleared up.  It was a solid forty minutes after leaving the cinema before the bubble burst and my illusion shattered – the leading lady in World War Z was never Angelina Jolie.  Of course, you all knew this and are giggling amongst yourselves. I get to the cinema often enough but my film trivia knowledge is truly appalling; and my awareness of Angelina Jolie truly ignorant.  However, I can tell you (with assertion) that Brad Pitt is most definitely in this film.  I guess that’s where my lethal assumption came from about Miss Jolie’s presence.  Otherwise, we’re looking at a well rounded, exciting, and (in more ways than one) familiar action-horror zombie experience.

     Glasgow’s the new Hollywood.  No, seriously: Glasgow really is the new Hollywood.  It was nearly two years ago when the zombie circus rolled into town and Glasgow city centre transformed into Philadelphia because, by logic, Glasgow looks more like Philadelphia than the city of Philadelphia does.  I’m not complaining, it was fantastic to view the set and feel involved in an international project.  One of the film’s first scenes is of a Glasgow bus stop that I’m convinced is right outside the Royal College Building of Strathclyde Uni.  Hundreds of Glaswegians turned into zombie extras, but they stayed true to themselves: only doing it for a hundred quid!  Just to say, I have no witty lines about the correlation between Glaswegians and zombies – you’ve heard them all by now so I’ll spare you. 

     Other than seeing Glasgow on the silver screen, I wasn’t sure what to expect from World War Z.  But ten minutes into the film, I knew exactly what was going to happen – just not how.  You’ve seen this film before.  Many times.  Perhaps not in the cinema for a while, but World War Z is structured adhering to the expected conventions of a zombie-apocalypse film; and also, the conventions of the new “disaster movie” genre that’s developed over the past decade.  If you had your heart set on a zombie film that pushes the boundaries or strives for originality then you’ll probably be disappointed. 

     The best way to watch World War Z is as an action movie.  The film presents a gripping story line and elements of danger that feel very real.  Thankfully, the film wastes no time in getting to the gritty zombie warfare: within ten minutes George Square is thronged with zombies heralding chaos that will never cease.  With a certificate of 15, the film crosses over to the horror genre occasionally with one or two scares and some scenes of breathless tension.  I think World War Z should be praised for finding the perfect balance between horror and action: it’s free from excessive gore and exaggerated life or death scenarios; it’s a zombie film for sane people looking for a thrill, not to feel disgusted. 

     While the action is top quality, there’s a lag in the drama especially when it comes to the family relationships.  The acting is fine, not outstanding – just passing as convincing.  Brad Pitt’s not bad: ex-soldier turned family man – called back to action because he’s America’s finest.  He becomes separated from his wife (Mireillie Enos) and kids as they remain on the safety of a UN ship.  But right from the start the relationships between the family comes across as wooden and superficial.  One of the kids declares she wants a puppy for her birthday as they sit round having a pancake breakfast.

     Unfortunately, this means some of the adrenaline is lost because as a viewer we don’t feel there’s enough at stake because we just don’t care for the family who (apart from at the start) are in no real danger.  There could have been an interesting narrative strand developed with the family struggling without their hero father, but nothing worthwhile ever happens to them and they remain at the other end of the phone occasionally checking Brad is still alive.  Alternatively, a good story line could omit the family altogether and see Pitt play the lone wolf: quit the army but reluctantly goes back to save the world; in the end finding love, glory, new meaning… Unfortunately they wouldn’t touch my unsolicited script!  But I’d also like to point out that World War Z wins my award for worst sound bite of the year: “How do you know they’re coming?” “…They’re coming.”  They really should have tried my script. 

     The story does redeem itself by the end.  The solution to the pandemic is intriguing; also effective in the way it wasn’t too pessimistic, but not a happily ever after – it was realistic and worked well.  The last half hour was set in a medical research facility and made for some of the best cinema I’ve seen in ages.  Despite being your stereotypical zombie-doomsday tumult it seems to have appealed to audiences taking $118.8m at its opening weekend with Brad hinting at a sequel.  If they make another I hope they cast Angelina Jolie just to please me; and, of course, shoot it again in Glasgow – sorry, Philadelphia.