World War Z: A Thrilling Zombie Apocalypse Movie
If you are a fan of action, horror, and zombies, you might have heard of or watched World War Z, a 2013 movie starring Brad Pitt as a former United Nations investigator who travels around the world to find a way to stop a deadly zombie pandemic. Based on the novel of the same name by Max Brooks, World War Z is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and spectacular film that showcases the global scale and impact of a zombie outbreak. In this article, we will explore what World War Z is about, how it was made, how it performed, and some interesting facts about it.
What is World War Z about?
World War Z is a movie that follows the story of Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), a retired UN employee who lives with his wife Karin (Mireille Enos) and their two daughters in Philadelphia. One day, while driving to school, they witness a sudden chaos in the city as people start attacking each other and turning into zombies. Gerry manages to escape with his family and contact his former colleague Thierry (Fana Mokoena), who arranges for them to be airlifted to a US Navy ship in the Atlantic Ocean. There, Gerry learns that the zombie outbreak has spread across the world and that he is needed to join a team of experts to find the source and a cure for the infection. Reluctantly, Gerry agrees to leave his family behind and embark on a perilous mission that takes him to South Korea, Israel, Wales, and Canada, where he faces hordes of zombies, hostile humans, and life-threatening situations.
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The plot summary
The movie begins with a montage of news reports and footage showing various signs of social unrest, environmental issues, and disease outbreaks around the world. Then, it cuts to Gerry Lane and his family having breakfast in their home in Philadelphia. They drive to school, but soon encounter traffic jams and explosions in the city. They witness people biting each other and turning into zombies within seconds. They manage to escape from the city with the help of a Hispanic family who give them their RV. They drive to Newark, New Jersey, where they spend the night in an apartment building. In the morning, they are attacked by zombies again, but are rescued by a helicopter sent by Thierry, Gerry's former colleague at the UN. They fly to a US Navy ship off the coast of New York City, where they learn that the zombie outbreak has become a global pandemic.
Gerry is briefed by a team of military and medical experts who tell him that they need his help to find the origin and a cure for the infection. They believe that the first case occurred in China, but they have no reliable information from there. They also suspect that there might be some clues in South Korea, where an email from a US Army base mentioned the word "zombie". Gerry agrees to join a team led by Captain Speke (James Badge Dale) to go to South Korea, on the condition that his family can stay on the ship. He leaves his wife a satellite phone so they can stay in touch.
In South Korea, Gerry's team arrives at Camp Humphreys, where they are attacked by zombies as soon as they land. They manage to reach the base, where they meet an ex-CIA agent (David Morse) who tells them that he was the one who sent the email. He reveals that he traded some guns to a North Korean officer who told him that they had cut off their own teeth to prevent infection. He also says that he heard a rumor about a former Israeli Mossad agent who predicted the zombie outbreak months before it happened. He suggests that Gerry should go to Jerusalem to find him. Gerry decides to follow this lead and leaves South Korea with a young soldier named Segen (Daniella Kertesz) who was bitten by a zombie but saved by Gerry when he amputated her hand.
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The main characters
The movie focuses on the character of Gerry Lane, played by Brad Pitt, who is a former UN investigator with experience in conflict zones and humanitarian crises. He is a brave, resourceful, and compassionate man who cares deeply for his family and humanity. He is willing to risk his life to find a solution to the zombie pandemic, even though he has no formal training or expertise in medicine or science. He relies on his intuition, observation, and deduction skills to gather clues and information from various sources and locations. He also shows empathy and kindness to the people he meets along the way, such as the Hispanic family, the ex-CIA agent, and Segen.
Segen, played by Daniella Kertesz, is a young Israeli soldier who accompanies Gerry to Jerusalem after he saves her from becoming a zombie. She is a loyal, courageous, and resilient woman who adapts quickly to the situation and follows Gerry's lead. She forms a bond with Gerry based on mutual respect and trust. She helps him escape from Jerusalem when it is overrun by zombies and joins him on his flight to Wales.
Karin Lane, played by Mireille Enos, is Gerry's wife and the mother of their two daughters. She is a supportive, loving, and strong woman who worries about her husband's safety and well-being. She stays in contact with him through the satellite phone and tries to comfort him when he faces difficulties. She also protects her children from the horrors of the zombie apocalypse and tries to keep them calm and hopeful.
Thierry Umutoni, played by Fana Mokoena, is Gerry's former colleague and friend at the UN. He is a high-ranking official who has access to information and resources that can help Gerry in his mission. He arranges for Gerry's family to be evacuated from Philadelphia and taken to the US Navy ship. He also provides Gerry with transportation, equipment, and contacts in different countries. He is a loyal, helpful, and reliable ally who trusts Gerry's judgment and skills.
The themes and messages
World War Z is a movie that explores several themes and messages related to the zombie apocalypse scenario. Some of these are:
The fragility of human civilization and society: The movie shows how quickly and easily the world can fall apart when faced with a global threat that cannot be contained or controlled by conventional means. It depicts the breakdown of law and order, communication, infrastructure, and government as zombies overrun cities and countries. It also shows how people react differently to the crisis, some with panic, fear, violence, selfishness, or denial, others with courage, cooperation, sacrifice, or hope.
The importance of family and humanity: The movie also shows how the zombie pandemic affects the personal lives and relationships of the characters, especially Gerry and his family. It highlights the value of family bonds and love in times of chaos and uncertainty. It also emphasizes the need for human connection and compassion among strangers who share a common fate. It illustrates how people can help each other survive and overcome adversity by working together and sharing resources.
The power of curiosity and creativity: The movie also shows how the zombie pandemic challenges the scientific and medical knowledge of humanity. It demonstrates how conventional methods of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or cure are ineffective or insufficient against the infection. It also suggests that the solution may lie in unconventional or unexpected sources or approaches. It celebrates the role of curiosity and creativity in finding answers and solutions to complex problems.
How was World War Z made?
World War Z is a movie that was based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Max Brooks, the son of legendary filmmaker Mel Brooks. The novel is a collection of interviews with survivors of the zombie war, which spanned 10 years and affected every continent and country. The novel is praised for its realism, diversity, and social commentary on various issues such as politics, religion, culture, and human nature. However, the movie adaptation deviated significantly from the novel, focusing on a single protagonist and a shorter timeline. The movie also faced several production challenges, such as script rewrites, reshoots, budget overruns, and delays. Despite these difficulties, the movie managed to create impressive visual effects and sound design that brought the zombies to life.
The source material
The movie rights for World War Z were acquired by Brad Pitt's production company Plan B Entertainment in 2007, after Pitt and his partner Dede Gardner read the novel and were impressed by it. They hired screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski to write the first draft of the script, which was faithful to the novel's structure and tone. Straczynski envisioned the movie as a "global thriller and political drama" that would explore the geopolitical and social implications of the zombie war. He also included some original scenes and characters that were not in the novel, such as Gerry Lane and his family. However, Straczynski's script was deemed too ambitious and expensive by Paramount Pictures, the studio that financed the movie. They hired director Marc Forster to helm the project, and asked him to work with another screenwriter, Matthew Michael Carnahan, to rewrite the script and make it more action-oriented and streamlined.
Carnahan's script changed many aspects of Straczynski's script, such as removing most of the interviews and flashbacks, adding more action sequences and set pieces, changing some of the locations and events, and altering the ending. Carnahan's script also introduced a new element to the story: a potential cure for the zombie infection that Gerry Lane would discover in his journey. This gave the movie a more hopeful and optimistic tone than the novel, which had a darker and more ambiguous ending. However, Carnahan's script also faced criticism from some fans of the novel, who felt that it betrayed the spirit and message of the original source material.
The production challenges
The production of World War Z was plagued by several problems and difficulties that threatened to derail or cancel the movie. Some of these were:
The budget: The movie had an initial budget of $125 million, but it soon ballooned to over $200 million due to various factors such as location changes, reshoots, rewrites, delays, and marketing costs. This made World War Z one of the most expensive movies ever made, and put a lot of pressure on Paramount Pictures to recoup their investment.
The reshoots: The movie underwent extensive reshoots in 2012, after Paramount Pictures and Plan B Entertainment were dissatisfied with the original ending that Carnahan had written. The ending involved Gerry Lane and his team fighting their way through a zombie-infested Moscow in a brutal battle that lasted 12 minutes. The ending was deemed too dark, violent, and inconclusive by the studio executives and test audiences. They hired another screenwriter, Damon Lindelof, to come up with a new ending that would be more satisfying and coherent. Lindelof suggested that Gerry Lane should go to a World Health Organization (WHO) facility in Wales instead of Moscow, where he would find a way to camouflage himself from the zombies using a terminal disease. Lindelof also suggested that Segen should accompany Gerry Lane to Wales instead of dying in Jerusalem. Lindelof wrote an outline for the new ending, which was then polished by another screenwriter, Drew Goddard. The reshoots added 40 minutes to the movie's runtime and cost $40 million.
The delays: The movie was originally scheduled to be released in December 2012, but it was pushed back to June 2013 due to the reshoots and rewrites. This caused some speculation and rumors that the movie was in trouble or doomed to fail. It also increased the competition for World War Z at the box office, as it had to face other big-budget movies such as Man of Steel, Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Fast & Furious 6.
The visual effects and sound design
Despite the production challenges, World War Z managed to create stunning and realistic visual effects and sound design that enhanced the movie's impact and immersion. The movie used a combination of practical and digital effects to create the zombies and their movements, as well as the various locations and environments that Gerry Lane visits. The movie also used a mix of live-action and computer-generated shots to create the scenes of mass destruction and chaos caused by the zombie outbreak. Some of the most memorable and impressive scenes in the movie include:
The Philadelphia attack: The scene where Gerry Lane and his family witness the zombie outbreak in Philadelphia is one of the most intense and terrifying scenes in the movie. The scene shows how quickly and violently the infection spreads among the population, turning them into rabid and aggressive zombies. The scene also shows how the zombies run, jump, climb, and swarm over cars, buildings, and people, creating a sense of panic and claustrophobia. The scene was filmed in Glasgow, Scotland, which was transformed into Philadelphia with the help of digital effects. The scene also used hundreds of extras and stunt performers to play the zombies and the victims, as well as practical effects such as explosions, gunfire, and car crashes.
The Jerusalem wall: The scene where Gerry Lane arrives in Jerusalem and sees the giant wall that the Israelis have built to protect themselves from the zombies is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring scenes in the movie. The scene shows how the Israelis have managed to create a safe haven and a functioning society amid the zombie apocalypse, as well as how they welcome refugees from other countries. The scene also shows how the zombies are attracted by the loud music and singing of the people inside the wall, and how they start to pile up on each other to breach the wall. The scene was filmed in Malta, where a partial set of the wall was built. The rest of the wall and the cityscape were added digitally. The scene also used thousands of extras to play the Israelis and the refugees, as well as digital effects to create the zombies and their movements.
The plane crash: The scene where Gerry Lane and Segen escape from Jerusalem on a plane that is later attacked by a zombie stowaway is one of the most thrilling and shocking scenes in the movie. The scene shows how Gerry Lane tries to save himself and Segen from the zombie attack by detonating a grenade that causes the plane to crash in Wales. The scene also shows how Gerry Lane survives the crash with only a minor injury, while Segen is impaled by a metal rod. The scene was filmed using a combination of practical and digital effects. The interior of the plane was a set that was rigged with explosives, wires, and hydraulic pumps to simulate the grenade blast and the crash. The exterior of the plane was created digitally, as well as the landscape of Wales.
The movie also used a distinctive and immersive sound design that added to the movie's realism and tension. The movie used various sounds to create the atmosphere and mood of each location and situation, such as the noise of traffic, crowds, helicopters, guns, explosions, sirens, alarms, etc. The movie also used different sounds to create the zombies' voices and noises, such as growls, snarls, hisses, shrieks, etc. The movie also used a subtle and effective musical score composed by Marco Beltrami that complemented the movie's tone and pace. How did World War Z perform?
World War Z was a movie that defied the expectations and predictions of many critics and analysts who thought that it would be a flop or a disaster. Despite the production challenges and the negative publicity, the movie managed to achieve a positive critical reception and a successful box office performance. The movie also received several awards and nominations for its technical achievements and artistic merits.
The critical reception
World War Z received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the movie's action, suspense, visuals, and performances. The movie has a 66% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 298 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "It's uneven and diverges from the source book, but World War Z still brings smart, fast-moving thrills and a solid performance from Brad Pitt to the zombie genre." The movie also has a score of 63 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 46 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Some of the positive reviews include:
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the movie 3.5 out of 4 stars and wrote: "World War Z is a knockout. It's smart, shifty fun. And Brad Pitt is terrific as Gerry Lane, a former UN investigator who knows how to survive in an undead world gone mad."
Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times gave the movie 3.5 out of 4 stars and wrote: "World War Z is one of the most gratifying action blockbusters in recent memory. It's exciting, tense, scary, well-acted, and well-written."
Manohla Dargis of The New York Times gave the movie a positive review and wrote: "World War Z plays as if it were written by committee (it was), with little humor (a few one-liners) and too much seriousness. Yet it works. A lot of people try to save the day in this movie; some even succeed."
Some of the negative reviews include:
Kenneth Turan of Los Angeles Times gave the movie 2 out of 4 stars and wrote: "World War Z is not a bad movie, just a frustratingly generic one. It's not terrible enough to make you wish you were one of the walking dead, but it's not good enough to make you glad you're alive."
A.O. Scott of The New York Times gave the movie a mixed review and wrote: "World War Z is not entirely satisfying as either horror or thriller. It lacks the gore and intensity of classic zombie movies, and it fails to generate much suspense or excitement from its global chase."
David Edelstein of New York Magazine gave the movie a negative review and wrote: "World War Z is an epic fail an expensive, soulless spectacle that doesn't even have enough good action scenes to justify its existence."
The box office results
World War Z was a movie that proved to be a commercial success, despite its high budget and production troubles. The movie grossed $202 million in North America and $337 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $540 million. It became the highest-grossing zombie film of all time, surpassing the previous record held by I Am Legend ($585 million). It also became Brad Pitt's highest-grossing film as a lead actor, surpassing Troy ($497 million).
The movie opened at number two at the North American box office, behind Monsters University, with $66 million in its first weekend. It was the second-highest opening for a zombie film, behind I Am Legend ($77 million). It also had the biggest opening for an original live-action film since Avatar ($77 million). The movie held well in subsequent weekends, dropping by 55%, 38%, and 25%, respectively. It also benefited from positive word-of-mouth and strong reviews.
The movie performed even better in international markets, where it grossed $337 million. It was especially popular in Europe and Asia, where it broke several records for zombie films. Some of its highest-grossing countries include China ($53 million), South Korea ($33 million), Russia ($28 million), UK ($25 million), France ($24 million), Germany ($19 million), Australia ($18 million), Brazil ($17 million), Japan ($16 million), and Spain ($15 million).
The awards and nominations
World War Z was a movie that received several awards and nominations for its technical achievements and artistic merits. Some of these include:
AwardCategoryNominee(s ))Result
Academy AwardsBest Sound EditingWylie StatemanNominated
Academy AwardsBest Sound MixingMichael Keller, Mike Prestwood Smith, and Mark TaylorNominated
BAFTA AwardsBest Special Visual EffectsScott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler, and David ShirkNominated
Saturn AwardsBest Horror FilmWorld War ZNominated
Saturn AwardsBest ActorBrad PittNominated
Saturn AwardsBest EditingRoger Barton and Matt ChesseNominated
Saturn AwardsBest MusicMarco BeltramiNominated
Saturn AwardsBest Production DesignNigel PhelpsNominated
Saturn AwardsBest Special EffectsScott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler, and David ShirkNominated
Saturn AwardsBest Thriller FilmWorld War ZNominated
MTV Movie AwardsBest Scared-As-Shit PerformanceBrad PittNominated
People's Choice AwardsFavorite Action MovieWorld War ZNominated
People's Choice AwardsFavorite Action Movie StarBrad PittNominated
Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion PictureScott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler, and David ShirkNominated
Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion PictureMatt Aitken, David Burton, Adam Marisett, and Marco Revelant for "Philadelphia City Street"Nominated
Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature Motion PictureGraham Page, Matt Perrin, Daniel Schrepf, and Adrian Steel for "Zombie Hordes"Nominated
Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Models in a Feature Motion PictureJesse Flores, Matt Aitken, James Ogle, and Steven Saunders for "Airplane and Airport"Nominated
What are some interesting facts about World War Z?
World War Z is a movie that has many interesting facts and trivia behind it. Some of these are:
The deleted scenes and alternate endings
As mentioned earlier, the movie had several scenes and endings that were deleted or changed during the production process. Some of these include:
A prologue scene that showed Gerry Lane interviewing a family in a refugee camp in India, where he learned about the origin of the zombie outbreak.
A flashback scene that showed Gerry Lane's previous missions in Liberia and Chechnya, where he witnessed the horrors of war and human suffering.
A scene that showed Gerry Lane and Segen being interrogated by a Russian officer after they landed in Moscow, where they were forced to join a zombie-fighting unit.
A scene that showed Gerry Lane and Segen fighting their way through the Moscow subway, where they encountered a group of feral children who had survived the zombie apocalypse.
An alternate ending that showed Gerry Lane and Segen reaching a WHO facility in India, where they met a scientist who had developed a vaccine for the zombie infection.
Some of these scenes can be seen in the Blu-ray edition of the movie, while others can be found online or in the novelization of the movie.
The real-life locations and references
The movie used several real-life locations and references to create a realistic and authentic feel for the story. Some of these include:
The US Navy ship that served as the headquarters for the UN team was actually the USS Argus, a British Royal Navy ship that was loaned to the production for filming.
The Camp Humphreys base in South Korea was actually a set built in an abandoned factory in Budapest, Hungary, where most of the movie was filmed.
The Jerusalem wall was inspired by the actual walls that surround the Old City of Jerusalem, as well as the West Bank barrier that separates Israel from Palestine.
The WHO facility in Wales was actually an old Motorola factory in Cardiff, Wales, that was converted into a film studio for the movie.
The zombies' behavior and movements were based on real-life animals and insects, such as ants, bees, birds, and fish, that exhibit swarm intelligence and collective behavior.
The sequel plans and rumors
World War Z was intended to be the first part of a trilogy of movies based on the novel by Max Brooks. However, due to the production difficulties and delays, the sequel plans were put on hold for several years. In 2015, Paramount Pictures announced that they had hired director Juan Antonio Bayona to direct the sequel, with Brad Pitt returning as Gerry Lane. The sequel was scheduled to be released in 2017, but it was postponed again due to Bayona's departure from the project. In 2017, Paramount Pictures announced that they had hired director David Fincher to direct the sequel, with Brad Pitt still attached as Gerry Lane. The sequel was scheduled to be released in 2019, but it was cancelled again due to budget issues and creative differences. As of 2021, there is no official confirmation or announcement about the status or future of the World War Z sequel.
Conclusion
World War Z is a movie that offers a thrilling and captivating experience for fans of action, horror, and zombies. It is a movie that showcases the global scale and impact of a zombie apocalypse, as well as the personal journey and struggle of one man who tries to save his family and humanity. It is a movie that overcame several production challenges and difficulties to become a critical and commercial success. It is also a movie that has many interesting facts and trivia behind it. World War Z is a movie that deserves to be watched and appreciated by anyone who enjoys a good zombie flick.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take for someone to turn into a zombie after being bitten?
A: According to the movie, it takes between 10 to 12 seconds for someone to turn into a zombie after being bitten. However, this may vary depending on the location and severity of the bite, as well as the immune system of the person.
Q: How do zombies detect humans?
A: According to the movie, zombies detect humans by their sound, smell, and movement. They are attracted by loud noises, such as music or gunfire. They are also sensitive to human scent and blood. They can also sense human movement and heat.
Q: How do humans camouflage themselves from zombies?
A: According to the movie, humans can camouflage themselves from zombies by injecting themselves with a terminal disease, such as cancer or rabies. This makes them appear sick and weak to the zombies, who prefer healthy and strong prey. However, this also puts them at risk of dying from the disease or being attacked by other humans who may not recognize them as allies.
Q: What is the origin of the zombie outbreak?
A: According to the movie, the origin of the zombie outbreak is unknown and mysterious. However, there are some hints and clues that suggest that it may have started in China, where the first case was reported. There are also some rumors and theories that it may have been caused by a virus, a parasite, a weapon, or a curse.
Q: Will there be a sequel to World War Z?
A: As of 2021, there is no official confirmation or announcement about the status or future of the World War Z sequel. The sequel has been in development for several years, but it has faced many obstacles and setbacks that have prevented it from being made. However, there is still some hope and interest from the fans and the filmmakers that the sequel may happen someday.
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