Forget the Bad Press: Run See 'World War Z'

By Leslie Combemale

Before you even consider seeing "World War Z," you must erase anything you know about the extremely popular novel by Max Brooks from your brain. 

And then you should run, not shamble, toward the nearest multiplex. You may wonder why if you've have heard any of the bad press about it. There have been myriad issues in getting this film to the screen.

Click here to see "World War Z" showtimes in and around Arlington.

The near complete departure from Brooks' cult classic, the seemingly endless reshoots, the growing rift between director Marc Forster and Brad Pitt, and the more than year-long delay in its release should telegraph an apocalypse not only onscreen but at the box office.  

But chalk it up to sheer force of will on the part of Pitt and other diehard folks: "World War Z" has emerged as an extremely entertaining, thoroughly engaging flick that deserves an audience and will even garner longterm fans.

Fans of action adventures and zombie aficionados will find "World War Z" engrossing entertainment. The story concerns ex-United Nations employee Gerry Lane, who has to leave his wife and kids and re-enter the fray when what look like zombies start killing everyone in the world. Within a matter of hours, entire nations topple.

These are the fast-turning, fast-running "viral" zombies — think "28 Days Later," not "Night of the Living Dead." That alone will turn off some zombie purists, who will say they aren't real zombies, although expert Doug Winter will tell you raptor zombies are nothing new. They were used in Umberto Lenzi's "Nightmare City" in 1980.

Lane is tasked with accompanying a virologist and keeping him safe in his search for a cure or some way of halting the end of civilization. Only good family men need apply: In exchange for risking his life, Lane's wife and children will be offered asylum on a virus-free aircraft carrier. Lane accepts. Thus ensues a frantic trek around the world to find answers and save the world.

Pitt is the only bona fide A-list actor in "World War Z," yet the supporting roles are all memorably performed in what screen time they get. Mireille Enos' portrayal of Karin, Gerry's wife, will continue to propel her up the Hollywood food chain, though she isn't seen nearly enough in the film. Enos ("The Killing") is featured most in the first scenes, which set the tone for the rest of the action. The biggest stand-out is Daniella Kertesz in her first big-screen appearance as Segen, an Israeli soldier who proves her mettle.

The weaknesses, given how connected we remain with the protagonist, are nothing that destroy forward momentum. The story is somewhat one-dimensional. But given the apocalyptic threat, it's no wonder our hero is single-focused. The characterizations also suffer in maintaining consistent suspense and excitement. Since no one faults "Fast and Furious 6" for that weakness, why quibble here?

The best quality of "World War Z" is it is consistently more action and less horror, allowing for potentially wider viewership, and that action is represented in diverse set pieces that keep the audience's attention. No sooner have they gotten used to frenetic city chaos, then the story is moved to a more claustrophobic environment, or a seemingly expansive rural exterior.

Death lurks around every corner — and much as we know the tenacity, passion to survive and desire to be reunited with friends and family, we still come to care whether the cast succeeds. The fate of the world depends on it.

All in all, I'd wager most moviegoers will be happily surprised and temporarily transfixed by "World War Z." It deserves your support. Eat up. This is one zombie action thriller that will leave you hungry for more.

About the author: Leslie Combemale, also known as Cinema Siren, is a movie lover and aficionado in Northern Virginia. Alongside Michael Barry, she owns ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery in Reston Town Center. She has a background in film and art history. She often is invited to present at conventions like San Diego Comic Con. In 2013, she will moderate "Legendary Animators of Classic 60s Cartoons" at SDCC.  She previously moderated "The Art of the Hollywood Movie Poster" and is a perennial panelist on the Harry Potter Fandom panel. Visit her art gallery online at www.artinsights.com, and see more of her reviews and interviews on www.artinsightsmagazine.com.