World War Z

Inspired by the mind and text of Max Brooks; World War Z may not be the most faithful of adaptations, but it proves itself as a unique entry in the zombie thriller genre with a smarter than usual script and a positively epic sense of scope and scale.

Gerry Lane (Pitt) is an incredibly skilled, former United Nations investigator who is happily living the quiet and contented life with his family in Philadelphia. Whilst he and his family are stuck in traffic on a seemingly normal morning gridlock, they very quickly find themselves in the middle of an outbreak of a deadly virus which is bringing the dead back to life.

Saving his family by the skin of his teeth, Gerry finds solace for them on board a Navy ship. With their places on the ship at risk, Gerry agrees to lead a mission to secure his family’s safety. The mission: to lead a team of troops and scientists on an expedition across the globe to find the source of the outbreak, and hopefully, a cure. With time not on his side and the number of zombies growing day by day, Gerry must discover the means of defeating the zombie virus before it brings about the annihilation of the human race.

Initially written off as a flop, World War Z stunned both audiences and critics this summer. The scope and aesthetic of World War Z paints this film in a frighteningly realistic light and truly does mark the film out from the rather crowded zombie pack. Stunning visuals, assured performances, and some terrifying set pieces make World War Z a film that is well worth taking a bite out of. Brooks fans in particular may find themselves surprisingly satisfied with the results.

Andrew Gaudion