World War Z
Beginning with various clips of environmental turmoil, celebrity gossip, and population anxiety overlaying images animals hunting and killing each other, bugs encompassing their next meal, and harried looks from news casters, the start or “World War Z” throws us right into the disorder of the day.
What is a seemingly normal day in Philadelphia, Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), former United Nations field agent, and his wife (Mireille Enos) drive their girls to school when it ensues: explosions, pandemonium, and a mob of the undead.
Stimulated by loud noises, we see the computer-generated masses of not uniquely frightening zombies; however, there is something to say when they are teeming across the screen like possessed ants or climbing on top of each other to take down a helicopter.
After a long day of the stereotypical gory zombie encounters Lane’s former boss (Fana Mokoena) rescues Lane’s family, along with a boy (Fabrizio Zacharee Guido) they picked up along the way. In exchange for Lane’s family’s safety he must travel internationally to find the origin and/or possible cure for the flesh-eaters.
On his quest, Lane visits several countries and other interesting actors including David Morse, Daniella Kertesz, Peter Capaldi, Ruth Negga, Moritz Bleibtreu, and Pierfrancesco Favino. David Morse has one of the most discomforting scenes as a fidgety ex-CIA agent who knows something of the origin. Daniella Kertesz is spectacular as the, tougher than nails, Israeli sidekick, Segan; her small frame and soldier disposition contrasts well with Lane’s robust look.
The film’s final set includs Peter Capaldi, Ruth Negga and Moritz Bleibtreu as we watch Lane, Segan, and a doctor (Pierfrancesco Favino) walk into a lab with 80 or so sleepy zombies getting within inches of a teeth snapping zombies. It is quiet, slow, and scary.
Directed by Marc Foster and loosely based on Max Brook’s novel of the same name, “World War Z” earns 5 out of 10 stars.
