Shaun of the Dead

Time: 1 Hour and 37 Minutes
Box Office: $13.5M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: Shaun of the Dead
2. Director & Producer: Edgar Wright
3. Release Date: September 24, 2004
4. Film Genre: Comedy, Horror

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: Important moments in the film include Shaun and Liz's break up, when Shaun and Ed leave the Winchester and unknowingly encounter their first zombie by singing White Lines with it, also when they discover a "girl" in the garden. Another important moment is when Shaun goes to save Liz and his mom when it has been announced that the dead were rising, when his stepdad Phil, gets bitten and becomes infected,  and when Ed and his mother die. Towards the end Diane and David are eaten, leaving Shaun and Liz the only ones within the group that were able to survive. Shaun and Liz are saved and Shaun ends up keeping Ed as his zombie pet. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: In the film, the camera angles used are long shot for when Shaun is walking around town, medium shots, close ups, high angle to show the amount of zombies beyond the gate, eye level for when a conversation between Shaun and Ed is held, oblique angle when the girl in the garden is pushed into the pole, pans for when Shaun is walking. The lighting used is normally high key or low key depending on the location the scene is in. For example, high key lighting is used in the scenes done outdoors to make it seem like it's an ordinary day. Low key lighting is used in the scenes taken indoors such as inside the pub to show how vulnerable Shaun and the others are in there. As for the music, it is used in the beginning to add to that "ordinary day" feel since it's upbeat. However, the music becomes faster and intense once zombies appear. The editing of the film (several uses of montage) allows the film to travel at a much quicker pace. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is sad but humorous. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is depressing, scary, funny, and a bit adventurous.

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The film includes loud and abrupt sounds for when a zombie comes in. The music is loud and fast to make the scene much more intense. Zombie groans are often used.

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities used are music, dramatizations, special effects, background noise, and color.

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message of this film is to never give up even when everything seems hopeless.

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses? The film is strong in communicating its message by showing how Shaun was persistent in getting Liz back and trying his best to keep her safe that they both actually made it out alive. 

3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? The filmmakers wanted the audience to feel a variety of emotions and mostly laugh.

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? Yes, it does appeal to the audience's emotion. It made me very emotional when Shaun's stepdad, mother and best friend die. It also made me laugh during all of the hysterical parts.

5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: What happened to Phil's zombie? 

6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would absolutely recommend this film to my friends. I loved it.

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film an AE because although it was a comedy, it still managed to take you through a variety of emotions and still be pretty scary. Not many films could do that sort of thing.