I saw that World War Z In Name Only movie last night

[charlie and algernon]

I LOVED the book and audiobook. When I first heard that not only was there going to be a movie, but that Brad Pitt's company was the driving force, I was estatic. Finally we were going to get that major "big picture" zombie movie that showed the entire world dealing with a zombie apocalypse; not just 5 strangers struggling to survive in an old house.

Then of course we all heard the troubles the movie was having, the script rewrites, reshoots, etc. Then the first trailer came out and there was the sudden realization that this movie was going to be NOTHING like the book.

So I went last night with the lowest of expectations and it actually wasn't THAT bad. Yes, it's nothing like the book. It completely does away with all of the interpersonal stories from people around the world. I don't even think China exists in the movie universe because it isn't mentioned once, let alone the excellent story about the sub captain. Instead it follows Brad Pitt as a UN Investigator has he travels around the world trying to find out where the plague started so he can find a cure.

There's lots of action and you do finally see what it's like to be in the middle of a major city at the start of a zombie apocolypse with all the chaos and explosions instead of just seeing an abandoned city weeks or months after the initial attack. WWZ's zombies behave more like swarms of ants engulfing everything in their path. All very CGI heavy and not the least bit scary.

Ironically, after really wanting to see the big picture aspect of a zombie apocalypse, it's the quieter third act that's easily the best part of the movie. That's where Pitt and a few scientists try to avoid a bunch of zombies while sneaking through a research lab. There's actually some tension and real suspense and the zombies have more "character" instead of just acting like said swarm of ants. There's particularly one guy at the end that does a fantastic job acting like a zombie, making different sounds and clicks with his teeth.

Overall, it wasn't a bad movie. You just have to think of it as it's own movie and not in any way related to the book of the same name.

[NewJeffCT]

1. No, not a bad movie

good summer action flick overall. Didn't like the change from the slow moving zombies to fast, though.

The change from China as the origin of the virus in the book to "maybe" South Korea or India was for marketing. If China was still the cause, the Chinese government would likely have not allowed the movie to be released in China, which is now the #2 market for new movies after the US.

[charlie and algernon]

3. which is a shame

because easily the best part of the book was about the Chinese Sub. If we could just get ONE part of WWZ made into it's own movie, that would be the story I would pick. Done right, it could get nominated for awards.

But sadly, I think you're right that they would never make a movie where a Chinese submarine abandons it's mission and ends up nuking the Chinese government.

[Xyzse]

2. I agree with your take on it

It is a decent Zombie movie, but World War Z, it isn't. It just took some elements of it, and many times implemented it incorrectly.

Still, I didn't think the book or audio book would work well in movie format as movies currently are. A mini-series would be awesome for it though. Like the old 80s style mini-series, where it really interprets the book closely, and cut to anywhere from 4-8 episodes.

[charlie and algernon]

4. I was really disappointed that they didn't at least use the USS Saratoga as the name of the Carrier

Nor did they use dogs in Israel at the entrance gate. But I'm just picking nits.

A four part mini-series like The Stand would be excellent.

[Xyzse]

5. I can only agree

Still, I also put my expectations waaaaaaay down.

As for being a mini-series, I think that would be best. It is not really something I can see being able to compete with Walking Dead as something longer running.

[rrneck]

6. It's well crafted but not inspiring.

Any movie, like any art, is supposed to be haunting. After WWZ I wasn't thinking about various cultural responses to a zombie apocalypse or the agonizing choices that have to be made for survival. I certainly wasn't thinking about Brad Pitt gazing soulfully into the middle distance. I was thinking about the spectacle. Which is fine. When I pay eight or ten bucks to see a show on a big screen, I want a show. I can appreciate My Dinner With Andre on a laptop. I'm fine with books doing the cultural heavy lifting.