Edgar Wright is an excellent filmmaker and Shaun of the Dead was his breakthrough. In this movie, we see everything that makes Wright special: energized camerawork, smash-mouth editing, and clever writing. Shaun of the Dead is a pleasure to watch because so many shots lead into one another and build off each other. Transitions are brilliantly blended with sound, motion, and repetition, making the film highly digestible. Furthermore, the script is packed with setups and payoffs that catapult the comedy to superiority. Meanwhile, there is enough drama and relatability in the characters to give the movie genuine heart.
Besides Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg's involvement in Shaun of the Dead is most crucial. Pegg shows impressive range in his role because of his comedic timing and emotional vulnerability. Overall, he is a fantastic leading man for this movie. So, between Pegg's strong performance, the variety of sound integration, the powerful cinematography/choreography techniques, and the flashy editing, Shaun of the Dead is an abundant film that is easy to love. No wonder it has become a cult classic and a launching pad for a handful of careers.
Writing: 8/10
Direction: 10/10
Cinematography: 10/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 8.6/10
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