Shaun of the Dead: Humor and Horror
Cleverly blending humor with horror, Shaun of the Dead offers a unique twist on the zombie genre with 29-year-old Shaun stumbling zombie-like through his regular life, not paying attention to the zombie crisis in the background, but shaping up when society falls apart. The film highlights that the real horror lies not in the zombies, but in the lack of purpose and human connection. The film's blend of humor and horror entertains but also makes us think about how we navigate our existence, urging viewers to seek meaning and connection in a seemingly mundane world.
Shaun getting his morning drink at the local deli and oblivious to the bloody handprint on the door
In the book "Zombie Culture," it is noted that while Shaun of the Dead features its share of gore, the humor is primarily character-driven, focusing on verbal and situational comedy (48). Director Edgar Wright explains that the zombies merely set the stage for the protagonists' circumstances: "You could go to the script and replace the word ‘zombies’ with ‘traffic jam’ or ‘power outage’ and it would still make sense (48)." The film's zombies serve as a metaphor for the slacker generation, symbolizing the monotonous and aimless way people navigate their lives. This is demonstrated at the beginning of the film as Shaun goes through his morning routine, tripping on the same curb, visiting the same convenience store, riding the same busy bus, and giving money to the same homeless person, all while passing by zombies which he fails to notice even though some of them are his neighbors!
Shaun drinking his coffee oblivious to the zombies
The morning routine scene begins with close-ups of Shaun's face as he wakes up and goes through his morning ritual. These close-ups focus on his tired eyes, and blank expressions, highlighting his lack of engagement with his surroundings. Also, the use of diegetic sounds, such as the buzzing of an alarm clock, the hum of appliances, or the murmurs of commuters on a bus, enhances the atmosphere of monotony in Shaun's routine. They blend with the visuals so viewers can almost feel the monotony and routine along with Shaun. The zombies serve as a metaphor for the unfeeling and detached nature of modern society. The scene sets up the film's central theme by juxtaposing the living with the undead, both going through the motions without real purpose.
Towards the end of the film, a scene unfolds in Shaun and his friends' favorite pub, which takes on a new significance as they battle the zombies. Here, frantic camera movements are used as the scene unfolds, characterized by quick pans and rapid zooms which convey the urgency and chaos of the situation as Shaun and his friends confront the zombies. The lighting in the pub shifts dramatically as the confrontation escalates. Finally, diegetic sounds, such as the growls and moans of the zombies intensify the scene and contrast sharply with the non-diegetic soundtrack playing over the scene. Together, these cinematic techniques heighten the tension of the scene. This transforms the familiar setting of the pub, once symbolic of their stagnant and unfulfilling lives, into a battleground for survival and meaning. Through the intense action, the film symbolizes Shaun's evolution from an aimless slacker to a determined leader, as he and his friends find purpose amidst chaos, reclaiming their lives in the face of impending doom.
Shaun transforms into a leader
Now let's look at several reviews from when the film was released in 2004.
According to James Berardinelli, Shaun of the Dead "may not be consistently scary (in fact, it's almost never scary), but it is consistently funny (if you have a slightly warped sense of humor) and never loses its audience." He further states, "I won't pretend that Shaun of the Dead is the be-all and end-all of horror comedies. It has plenty of problems, not the least of which is that the horror elements are largely unconvincing (although there is plenty of gore). Shaun of the Dead is a movie that one might not expect to work at first glance, but for those who don't mind a little laughter with their zombies (or perhaps it should be the other way around), this is an unusual source of entertainment” (Berardinelli).
Another review by pluggedin.com was not as positive and states, "Shaun of the Dead is a funny, disgusting movie that hides its sensitive beating heart under gallons of zombie makeup. Although a comedy, the film is no spoof, presenting its flesh-eating undead in horrific detail.“ The reviewer also cautions about the excessive blood in the movie.
If you haven't seen Shaun of the Dead, I highly recommend it!