While all three Cornetto Trilogy movies are fantastic in their own right,Shaun of the Deadhas an all-time classic opening which cannot be competed with. Released in 2004, Edgar Wright’sShaun of the Deadis a horror comedy movie which follows a downtrodden Shaun (Simon Pegg) as he finds himself in a zombie apocalypse alongside his loved ones.
The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing $38.7 million on a $6 million budget, and soon became the first film inEdgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, which features the similarly successfulHot FuzzandThe World’s End. Named due to Wright’s repeated use of the famous ice cream, theCornetto Trilogy shares actors, but is otherwise unconnected.
Shaun’s Nonchalant Attitude To A Zombie Apocalypse Is Very British
Shaun of the Deadis a fantasticnon-American zombie moviewith a very British-type of humor. This approach worried director Edgar Wright, however,Shaun of the Deadsurprisingly became an international success. In an interview withGQ,Wright said he was proud as “we didn’t compromise it for an international audience. People appreciated it more because it was British.”
Yet, the best part about the 2004 movie is, without a doubt, its brilliant opening sequence. Launching into an intervention in the pub which outlines Shaun’s current life, with comedic interjections from supporting characters, the first scene sets up the predominant theme of the film;Shaun of the Deadis about a man who is already a metaphorical zombie.
the way Shaun unknowingly treats the zombie apocalypse afterward provides a deeper message about the state of the world and his life
However, the true opening sequence that follows -people listlessly navigating their normal lives, seemingly unaware of their zombie-like behavior- is absolutely genius. Furthermore, the way Shaun unknowingly treats the zombie apocalypse afterward provides a deeper message about the state of the world and his life, making it one of thebest opening scenes that hooks viewers from the start.
Wright’s 2004 Zombie Movie Masters Morbid Humor
The opening sequence, with everyday people behaving like zombies, followed by Shaun navigating his normal life unknowingly surrounded by zombies, is one of the best in horror comedy. The predominant element required forhorror comedies movies to be entertainingand successful isthe need to address the humor and scary elements in one.Shaun of the Deaddoes this perfectly.
Audiences are given more information than the character, as we can see the danger looming inShaun of the Dead. Therefore,Shaun’s nonchalant reaction is quite comedic in contrast. For example, there’s a moment where Shaun actually slips on blood buying his Cornetto, but he doesn’t even blink. This brilliant brand of morbid humor and complete detachment is very British.
as an outside viewer, and especially for audiences outside the UK, the sudden juxtaposition makes for a fantastic horror comedy
With the opening credits showcasing a world of zombie-like citizens, it makes sense that Shaun doesn’t hear alarm bells when faced with real-life zombies, as this behavior is normal. However, as an outside viewer, and especially for audiences outside the UK, the sudden juxtaposition makes for a fantastic horror comedy, which is whyShaun of the Deadremains so well-loved.
