World War Z 2013

Director: Marc Forster

Writer: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, Damon Lindelof, J. Michael Straczynski

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz

Brad Pitt is working his butt off to save his family, himself and the world, in that order. We know he will do it, but how?

World War Z could have been a nail biting sci-fi/ horror/ suspense thriller tour de force, if it wasn’t for the over-abbundant heavy handed special effects, sweeteners and oversimplified script. With this film, in terms of the emotional payoff for the audience, more is definitely less. If World War Z were a sex worker she’d be more of a street walker with too much makeup and too tall heels, than a business attired, six figured concubine.

Considering the money that went into this monster film, and the profit it made, it should have been so much better. Perhaps the real discussion that should happen is not why this flick is weak, but why was it not strong. Anyone can make a weak film. But a heavy hitter should be expected when you have so much money, skill, talent and experience invested. Audiences are possibly desperate or passive enough to just celebrate weak sauce when it has all the bells and whistles. Basically, without the cheap tricks of speed frames and orc sounds to scare up zombies (tricks that were not even as good as The Walking Dead), and without Brad Pitt carrying this whole thing, it would have been a train wreck.

Overall, this movie is pretty simple, easy to predict, but flashy and about as satisfying as a fast food burger, and that’s good if that’s what you’re looking for. On the other hand, if you’re looking for filet mignon, this ain’t it.

Actors Performance: Did The Best With What They Got. A

Direction: Genre Appropriate, I Guess. B

Cinematography: A’ight. B-

Production Value: Could’ve Been Better For The Money. C

Script: Too Many Chefs In The Kitchen? C

Final Bitch: I Gasped. I Laughed, But I Ain’t Watching This Again. C+