funnypage

In fact, it's the most british film i've seen in long, long time. More british than any of Richard Curtis' offerings, more british than even Harry Potter. The sense of place is strong in Shaun of the Dead. Possibly that could be an alienating feature, but in truth i loved it. Well done to all concerned.

It's also very funny, in a way that relies a lot on delivery and context. It's not quoteable, in that respect; the humour's difficult to relate to people who weren't there, but it's very funny on the screen. You'll just have to trust those of us who have seen it.

Despite that, it gets quite dark towards the end, and there are one or two lump-in-the-throat moments to go alongside the many edge-of-the-seat moments. This is very definitely a spoof, but it kind of works quite well as a Zombie film in its own right, here and there.

Also, i loved seeing Jessica Stevenson pop up here and there. Any chance of a Jess-centred sequel?

...i mean, i enjoyed it thoroughly, and i would definitely recommend it as a wonderful way to spend an evening, but sometimes it seemed like it couldn't quite accomplish everything it wanted to (or tried to).

It's very funny, that's a cert. The performances are wonderful right across the board, and the dialogue's rarely less than excellent. Everyone plays their parts to perfection - it's a wonderful cast, and they're all on top form. It's the director's first feature, as far as i know, an he handles it competently enough, keeping things moving and flashing back and forth between the large cast with a good sense of timing and an instinct for piquing the viewer's interest.

The thing that bugs me is the one aspect of the film that i'd felt certain of before i watched it -- the writing. Mark O Rowe's an excellent writer, but it seems in places that he sells a few characters short (especially when things get frantic towards the end). There were a few storythreads that i felt got a little short-changed in the rush to resolution. Having said that, there were tiny moments studded all through the film that back-handedly evoked genuine emotion. It was skillfully done, and in those small moments you knew you were watching the work of some very talented people, certainly not least of which was the writer. it's definitely a very, very good film, but i think if it had been allowed to end in a just ever-so-slightly messier way, it could have been a great one.

Anyway, i'm nitpicking. if you see it you'll enjoy it.

Oh, and i tried not to let this influence me too much, but I deeply, deeply fancy Kelly Mc Donald, so as far as i'm concerned, she's a serious plus point for this flick. I wish she could have used her real accent in the film...

The most unapologetically apalling crime against television there has ever been or will ever be. Shameless Friends rip-off that'll make you cry. Absolutely no redeeming features whatsoever. Run away from it. As fast as you can.