World War Z

Joe Fan

Joe Fan

10,000+ Posts
Anyone tracking the issues for this one -- the upcoming Brad Pitt zombie movie? Despite everything, it is still supposed to be good.
It's way over budget Oops

Apparently no one liked it so they brought in Damon Lindelof to rewrite and completely re-shoot the ending.

But that didnt work, so they then went to Drew Goddard.

Still more parts had to be changed to avoid offending China

Lastly, you may want to sit for this one. Not only does Hollywood admit they had a policial agenda for it, but it got so thick that even Brad Pitt himself thinks it had become too political. It must be bad when even Hollywood thinks it's overly political. Which makes it sound a bit like the homage to Al Gore known as "The Day the Earth Stood Still."
In reply to:
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Joe,

My point is that a homogenized "Hollywood" does not exist. Studios aim to make money. They aren't going to risk bottom line considerations in hopes of promoting some political agenda. They could decide to follow a political agenda if it pointed to increasing the market for a movie. If a studio exec thought the public opposition to the Iraq War might result in attendance for a movie about the downside of the war, then he/she is making an economic decision.

Have you noticed any shortage of guns in movies? Do you then conclude that "Hollywood" is pro-gun?

Have you noticed the recurring theme of cops who don't follow the law so that they can deliver justice? Do you conclude that "Hollywood" favors police street violence over the troublesome technicalities of the Constitution?

Some individuals in Hollywood surely do have political stances and like to include them in their movies. It's hardly a secret who these guys are, so it's not exactly a subliminal campaign.

Hollywood in general panders to the mass audience. Frankly, I wish there was more individuality in filmmaking and more issues, political or otherwise, would find their way into the plots and subtexts of movies. At least then there would be something to talk about when the lights came up.
 
I thought the book was great, but didn't see much of a political lean to the story. What's the deal with the movie? Do the zombies only eat Republicans?
 
I ran out and saw this first thing on Friday. My theatre was crowded but not sold out. As you've already read above, the zombies are a little different from other zombie movies. More I Am Legend than Walking Dead.

There is some good to great action early and through the middle. And the politics were not overbearing at all. In fact, as that article I linked above quotes Pitt as saying, the portrayal of the different approaches that the different regimes around the world might have (in the unlikely event of an actual zombie outbreak) are the most interesting parts of this film. Besides the "type" of zombie, this is what sets this flick apart. You can also tell they had some trouble with the ending.

I wont say more. In the end, its another zombie movie to add to the growing list of them. I went in a group, and half of them broke off to see Monsters, Inc. instead. Even though I would not call this one "great," I would still make same viewing choice.
 
I'd give it a 7 of 10 rating. After seeing the previews I was worried the special effects would overwhelm the story. It didn't. I think the story could have been a little more developed but overall a different take on the zombie genre.
 
Meh. Movie is okay. Maybe I'm zombied out.

I will raise a petty point. Pitt is a producer on this film in more than just name. As I became a little bored during the middle of the film, I started thinking: "Man, you could have at least shaved and cleaned up a little bit for the movie." He has long lanky hair and a carefully maintained two-day growth. It just started irritating me.

I know they went back and emphasized the central character's motive being to save/be with his family, but I thought that was all pretty sappy and dull, too. Again, maybe I'm just bored with this overused motivation. The whole world is in jeopardy, but that's not really enough motivation; it has to be personal. And the family has to be beautiful and perfect.

The ending is likely an errant over-reaction to a huge battle scene that was cut from the original prior to the rewrites and re-shoots. I think the ending is abrupt and somewhat underwhelming. I wonder if they could have done a little more with the Israeli soldier, but time and money are not unlimited even for a blockbuster summer film.

Compliments to Joe Fan for giving the mild politics of the movie an unbiased viewing. I thought about the op when the movie was over and wondered what he thought.
 
As mentioned above, the female lead playing Pitt's wife is the same actress from The Killing.
Mireille Enos is a local (Sugar Land) who attended HSPVA. Here is the article from Chron about her, if interested.

Mireille is pronounced MeeRay

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As a high schooler in Houston
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And she is married to Cameron Frye from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
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I am primarily familiar with Mireille Enos from The Killing, but also remember her in Big Love. The characters she plays seem so devoid of personality and emotional range. I guess she would fit right in with an apocalyptic zombie film.
 
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