At the end of World War
Z, just as the credits began rolling, a gentleman, scratch that, an
idiot spoke up from the back of the theatre exclaiming, "What? That
sucked! The book was nothing like that! Booo!" I'm sure he scurried away
back home, logged online, and began tweeting, posting, and blogging,
furthering his rant. Much like my response to him at the theatre, I hope
he receives silence in return.
It's true, World War Z is nothing
like the book. The book is told from the point of view AFTER the war.
It's a "historical," account of what happened during the war. Rather
than make a mockumentary with flashbacks, which would have been the
wrong decision in my opinion, the filmmakers decided to put us right in
the middle of the action.
When adapting a piece of literature it
is impossible to bring every page, every paragraph, every nuance onto
the screen. Some have come close depending on the material, but for the
most part, they all have to take their own creative licenses. After all,
it's called an "adaptation," for a reason, otherwise they would call it
a copy or mimic.
Where World War Z works (that's a mouthful) and
where so many others fail is that just because the world slips into
total and utter chaos, doesn't mean that governments, military, and law
enforcement agencies go away. Quite the opposite. If anything, these
scenarios bring out the best of all of them. We see generals, UN
delegates, and scientists trying to solve complex issues that they don't
know anything about. Rather than going into hiding, they act. Society
doesn't crumble. Bands of cannibals and leather strapped gangs don't
patrol the streets with necklaces made of teeth. People do what they can
to survive, and the higher ups try their best to find a fast and
effective solution.
At first, I thought the movie started too
fast. How could something this violent and concentrated go undetected,
but after a while I got it. The opening montage of news reports said it
all. How many of us listen to everything we hear on the news? Exactly.
So much goes undetected while we focus on issues that effect us
immediately. It's too late when the virus touches US soil. Not even
social media can keep up with it.
As far as zombie movies go this
one is pretty great. Though I think 28 Days Later takes the cake in
terms of realism, in-camera effects, and sheer terror, this one holds
its own. Brad Pitt plays a former UN investigator who is traveling with
his family just as the zombie attack on Philadelphia unfolds. The film
goes from 0-60 before you take a sip of your Coke. This is a fast paced,
edge of your seat thrill ride led by one of the finest actors of this
generation (Pitt's acting ability is far too underrated and lost in the
kerfuffle of tabloid news).
For those of you who stare at the
ticket window debating whether or not to see a film in 3D or standard,
you might want to spend the extra few dollars to see this one in 3D (I
know it's asking a lot, but maybe you can sneak some candy or a bottle
of water to offset the concession stand price - deal with it). I tend to
air on the side of "screw it, I want to see it in 3D." Now not every
movie NEEDS to be seen in 3D, hell there are really only a couple that
absolutely have to be seen in all three dimensions (Avatar and maybe
Life of Pi), but this one really surprised me. 3D is not about things
jumping out at you, but it's about layers. Luckily this film has both.
Big chase scenes in Philly, particles floating about in South Korea, and
tracking shots in Jerusalem make this one of the 3D events of the year.
No exaggeration.
Like so many other summer blockbusters before
it, civilization is on the brink of extinction and only a handful of
experts can save us. What World War Z does that so many have failed is
give us hope. Hope that humanity won't dissolve into nothingness. In the
face of sheer danger these fighters stand tall, take a deep breath,
look the enemy in the eye, and say,
