WORLD WAR Z

This is an instance of “never say never”, which,  when it comes to zombie movies (“Dawn of the Dead”, “Zombieland”, “Death Becomes Her”,) I have stated emphatically “never again” countless times. Truthfully, I went to see another film, had an hour to kill,  ventured into a packed theatre of “World War Z”, remained seated for the entirety; expecting zilch, I was rewarded with two hours of compelling, often mesmerizing footage.  It is not a great film, just incredibly intriguing.

Brad Pitt, still masking his strikingly handsome countenance with a Willie Nelson, fuzzy -facade, stars as “Gerry Lane”  an ex- operative for the United Nations, conscripted to aid the government in finding the source and the cure to irradiate the curse of “Zombieism”; Pitt’s genuine performance elevates the film from the mundane into the realm of contemplation. Addressing the role of “savior” seriously (no cliques, winking at the audience,); leaving his wife “Karin” (appealing, sincere performance by Mereille Enos, “The Killing”) and daughters, he imbues “Gerry” with proportionate doses of humility, intelligence, concern and pathos; he is a man, casually clothed, a person all can recognize, not a “super hero” in need of a transformative suit, to accomplish the Herculean. Herein, lies the minimal success of “World War Z”.

Lustful, soulless, suppurating carnivores, “Zombies”, procreate at rodent capacity; a teeny bite heralds the metamorphosis; the pandemic commences in South Korea, oozes globally; a temporary oasis: Israel, had the clairvoyance, prescience to anticipate the plague and build a wall (a subtle, contemporary metaphor) for insulation; concluding in Wales at the World Health Organization. Gerry is fearless, principled, devoted, trustworthy and garnishes admiration and respect from the viewer; more realistic than awe; the zombies are secondary to Pitt’s inimitable characterization.

TWO & 3/4 STARS!!!

For Now………..Peneflix