Move the curtain back. The magnificent parody zombie comedy “Zombie by the name of Sean” was the first serious experience of cooperation between the notorious trinity of English comedy luminaries in the person of director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Having achieved success alone, the friends finally joined forces and created the introductory part of the trilogy under the general name “Cornetto”, symbolizing the brand of ice cream. It is not difficult to guess that the story about the revived dead was painted in bright red and did not hesitate to erase the limits of what is allowed, so that the audience without shame laughed during the viewing. Well, real connoisseurs of cinema can appreciate the passion of Edgar Wright and the company for the history of cinema on the example of many references to the cult works of George A. Romero and other cult personalities standing at the origins of horror. “Zombie named Sean” is a charming symbiosis of true English humor, American irrepressibility and the unique creative vision of Wright-Pegga-Frost, well refreshed slightly stagnant genre in which since the adventures of Mr. Bean there was nothing significant. It can not be said that the tape triumphantly swept through the cinemas of the world, but the cult status gained quite deservedly, giving the opportunity to the inseparable trinity subsequently remove such extraordinary films as “Type of Cool Cops” and “Armageddets”. Each tape is distinguished by its unique features that can be seen without meticulous explanation. But like every serious project that claims to be more than a banal viewing and subsequent erasure from memory, “Zombie named Sean” got auxiliary additions, thanks to which a devoted viewer can delve deeper into the essence of the project and understand what exactly moved the creators in preparing the tape for the premiere. “Zombie named Sean: Short film” was released immediately after the original tape and united the entire leading cast led by Edgar Wright himself, describing the thoughts about what is happening in his film. The director of the short supplement was John Wheeler, who built a career on such a specific sub-genre, complementing full-fledged films with encyclopedic material told by the creators.
In fact, “Zombie named Sean: Short Film” is a small slice of interviews and frames from the original, attracting an ignorant viewer to the screens, and watching Wright’s film will be just interested to know what the authors themselves say about what they did. Through the mouths of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, we learn what specific features are inherent in their characters, what moved them and why one of them expected a full-fledged happy ending, while the second turned into a walking dead man with two dominant desires - to eat fresh meat and tirelessly play video games. Observing the way Pegg and Frost communicate is no less interesting than enjoying them. You can see that the guys really love their profession and give themselves to it without a trace, which is why the films where they take part, time after time become events that should not be missed. I was also pleased with the participation in the film of the inimitable Bill Nighy, who got a more tragic role, although not without charming black humor. Nayi is not necessarily in the frame throughout the entire timekeeping, in order to remain in the memory of the audience for a long time. So in “Zombie named Sean” he has a small, but cut into memory role, which makes you want to laugh and cry. And here’s how Nyi achieved this effect, and we learn from the short film John Wheeler. In turn, Edgar Wright combined all the disparate details into a single whole and in a dynamic form explained to us how to shoot an exemplary zombie horror, which is difficult to make claims. Dylan Moran and Kate Ashfield also appeared in the add-on, reminding that they also participated in the shooting for a reason and what funny situations happened to them on the set.
It was interesting to hear about those classic works that inspired the creators of the film. Without borrowings from the well-known Night of the Living Dead and the equally popular Dawn of the Dead were inevitable. The atmosphere of the all-consuming zombie apocalypse has been recreated with astounding authenticity, despite the fact that the production budget of the film can not be compared with Hollywood. Edgar Wright enlisted the support of sympathetic enthusiasts, thanks to which his film starred as extras grateful fans of his past works, for whom it was a matter of honor to help the director in his new endeavors. It was interesting to learn how to create a unique makeup that simulates decomposition. The story of staging tricks also carries a considerable amount of informativeness. And most importantly, the tape does not focus on one thing. John Wheeler tries to fit in the allotted timekeeping maximum information, but without undue haste, so that the story is categorized and not perceived as chaos. Used unique materials and chronicles in some ways is a treasure that can warm the heart of any admirer of good cinema. Especially pleased with the cedars of the shooting process, the placement of cameras, lighting devices. Of course, I would like John Wheeler to spend much more time on the technical aspects of the creation of “Zombie named Sean”, although at the same time some details should not be told to the general public in order to preserve the unique magic of cinema, for which we go to theaters. When the material is presented in moderation, then you do not feel oversaturation from it. On the contrary, you want more. This short film makes you re-inflamed with interest in the work of Wright and review not only his first high-profile film, but also subsequent, no less intriguing works that leave an indelible mark in memory.
There’s really nothing extraordinary about Zombie Sean: The Short Film. This is quite a standard film about the film, which is created according to the same pattern with dozens, if not hundreds of similar projects. John Wheeler did his job with due professionalism and didn't go out of line. It’s nice that we got to know our favorite actors and director, again enjoyed cutting from the tape, reliving the brightest episodes. There is nothing more to say about this short film. You don't have to watch it. However, if you are really imbued with the work of Wright-Pegga-Frost, then I safely recommend “Zombie named Sean: Short Film” to view as an unobtrusive entertainment that allows you to lift the veil over the creation of a cult movie.
8 out of 10