So how loyal did World War Z stay to it's novel counterpart? Based on the non-fiction novel by Max Brooks, the book tells the story of the geopolitical, social, religious, and environmental impact resulted from the zombie war, from a wide variety of perspectives on a global context. The movie follows the story of Brad Pitt's character, Gerry Lane, a United Nations employee, who races against time to save humanity against the Zombie pandemic. I'm not going to lie, it was entertaining in the Hollywood-Big-Blockbuster way, but yet, I can't help imagining what they could have done to move away from a linear narrative path, and stick more closely to the documentary-nonfictional feel of the book.
With that said, adapting the book was not a simple task whatsoever, and I'm sure the idea has crossed the minds of many throughout the course of the project. In 2007, the project began when Brad Pitt's production company Plan B secured the rights to the film and an adapted screenplay was written by J. Michael Straczynski. In 2009, after many delays as the script was still "far from realization," the script was rewritten by Matthew Michael Carnahan. Filming began in July 2011, but several reshoots were scheduled in 2012 after writers Damon Lindelof and his Lost Partner Drew Goddard were hired to rewrite the film's third act. Several scenes were dropped and a new ending was built to make the film less "abrupt and incoherent" and to water down the film's political undertones and drive the film to a more "family summer blockbuster."
With three different writers on board and credited, did this affect the overall consistency of the plot? I can say that the film did seem a little short, in my opinion, as it lacked the need for a larger and more definitive climax. I also would have liked to see more scenes on a global scale. It is called World War Z after all. Having said that, I can say that Brad Pitt saves it. And I'm not just saying that because you get to watch Brad Pitt's face in high definition for two hours. There's something about Brad Pitt that legitimizes a film, and it's apparent in any film he's part of. If anyone else was cast in the lead role; a Channing Tatum, even a Tom Cruise, this would be completely different film.
Now, just in case we ever find ourselves in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, here are some tips I gathered from the film:
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse Brad Pitt Style
1. Magazines make good armour.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger.
3. Nova Scotia is always the answer.
4. Aichmophobia? Get over it.
5. Know how to count.
6. Turn your phone on silent.
7. Family is always first.
8. Always listen to the dog. No matter how annoying it is.
9. Piling things is a good barricade...chairs, suitcases, whatever!
10. It's the Zombie Apocalypse, but dammit never forget to accessorize.
What did you think of World War Z?
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