The picture to the left is one of the official posters for the movie World War Z, which I saw this past week with my wonderful husband Chris. The picture to the right is of the original book, by author Max Brooks. When this movie was first announced, it caused quite the stir in the horror community. There were some who thought it would be a good movie. The rest of us in the community were worried it wouldn’t be a faithful adaptation. I think I was just pissed that Brad Pitt was pushing the project. I didn’t think he had the appropriate reverence to pull it off. Those of us who feared, feared the bastardization and ruination of one of the most important pieces of zombie literature. Not many zombie books make the New York Times Bestseller list, but Max Brooks’ did, which means it crossed over got noticed.
I was hardcore against this movie. If you don’t believe me, just ask my husband, family, friends, and co-workers how bitterly and incessantly I bitched about it. I nearly broke my soapbox from all the time I spent lamenting. And then, I read a blog post that changed everything. Author Timothy W. Long wrote a post titled, “World War Z – Everybody Just Calm The Fuck Down“. Long makes several very compelling arguments for watching the film, but below is the game-changer:
“This movie represents something that most zombie fans wouldn’t have though possible ten years ago. A huge summer action movie with zombies as the driving force, Massive military battles against hordes of Z’s, worldwide settings, and a huge Hollywood A-list actor to bring in the crowds.
So that’s why I’m seeing it. I want to watch a big budget Z movie. I can’t wait to see the world overrun by zombies while the military guns them down by the thousands, and make no mistake, the scale of this movie appears to be that large and I want it on the big screen. I want zombies so in my face I reach for a Remington Versa Max Tactical Zombie, 12 Gauge shotgun“.
That got me thinking about the movies that he referenced in his post. Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead (remake). 28 Days Later. 28 Weeks Later. Shaun of the Dead. Zombieland. Long made another great point. There aren’t that many zombie blockbusters out there. Why was I trying to boycott what could be the greatest zombie movie since 2009? I realized that I had to do my part to support the genre. If World War Z fails during the height of zombie popularity, that’s pretty much it. I will be relegated to showing my future children only a handful of films.
As for my thoughts on Brad Pitt, here’s what Long has to say:
“Brad Pitt, you scoff? If you hate him I have two words for you: Inglorious Basterds, here’s three more: Fight Club, Seven. Here’s a number and a word: 12 Monkeys.”
Fair enough. Fair enough. Let me add my own: Legends of the Fall. I must confess, I am sick and tired of hearing all the tabloid press. I miss Brad Pitt the actor. His abilities have been overshadowed by the press-made drama. It was time to bring back Brad Pitt the actor.
My husband and I made after work date plans to go see it. What comes after, you can read about in World War Z Part 2: Movie Review.
