"Shaun of the Dead"

Directed by:  Edgar Wright

Written by: Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright

Starring:  Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Nick Frost, Lucy Davis, and Dylan Moran

Rated:  R (Zombie Violence, Gore and Language)

Length:  99 Minutes

 Touted as the first zombie-infested romantic comedy, "Shaun of the Dead" mates two intensely tired genres to conceive a surprisingly fun and fresh film - so much so that one wonders why this unholy union wasn't forged long ago.

The movie's namesake (Pegg) begins his endearing farce with an ultimatum-ridden showdown against girlfriend Liz (Ashfield).  Shaun's choices as laid out in the arrangement: make some serious lifestyle changes or find a new mate, mate.  And so, Shaun takes it upon himself to rejoin the world of the living…so to speak.

Pulling references from Romero, O'Bannon, and Fulci (widely considered the founding fathers of the modern zombie picture), "Shaun" pits England on the verge of country-wide infection.  The only-hinted at disease seems to result in a sort of walking catatonia coupled with a strong cannibalism kick.  The sole obstacle keeping these events far from a focusing eye is that, well, they aren't the focus of the film.  Keep in mind, this is a romantic comedy concerning Shaun and Liz.  Everything else is peripheral.    

Immediately, the most glaring anomaly within the film is Wright's extreme directorial competence.  The guy knows his stuff.  The opening sequence, while certainly tipping its hat to similar stylists Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting") and Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream"), immediately sets the mood for quirky humor and social satire set to the speed of a music video.

Wright reflects himself as a media saturated director.  "Shaun" brims with obscure and elaborate '80s references rendered useless outside of a small cultural bubble.  Yet, their inclusion only strengthens the film in that it comfortably knows its context.  "Shaun" is, oddly enough, very much a period piece, even though the period temporarily remains current.

Each of the leading actors in this ensemble piece put on their Sunday best for the romp.  It's rejuvenating to witness a wide range of relative unknowns play at top performance for a film they obviously put together out of love rather than obligation.  Shaun's obliviously callous partner in crime, Ed, is expertly rendered by British comedy troupe member Nick Frost.  Pegg and Frost's performances anchor the film in a way that makes it instantly approachable.  Not only is their relationship believable, it excites the film by inserting a voyeuristic "What would I do in this situation" participation from the audience.  Shaun's mother and step-father (played by Nicola Cunningham and Bill Nighy respectively) are also a welcome veteran bonus, adding more than few memorable scenes to the mix.

At first glance, it seems impossible to wed these disparate genres into any sort of workable chaos.  And yet, they weave in and out of each other almost seamlessly.  Rather than appearing as some sort of absurd addendum, the zombie element plays a critical role in how the characters view each other and themselves as the plot unfolds.  It's slick, it's amazingly crafted, it's even cuddly. 

Now how many times can you say that about a zombie?

P.S.  Although Regal Cinemas has repeatedly advertised "Shaun of the Dead," they have yet to release it (despite a Sept. 24 distribution date).  The squeaky wheel gets the grease; you want to see it, let them know it.  It's time to wake this sleeper hit.

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