Movies.com: Why Even Call it 'World War Z' at This Point? (this thread is about zombies)

[Destino]

http://www.movies.com/movie-news/world-war-z-movie/3869

Before the snark hits in reaction to the question in the headline, let me make it clear that I obviously know why Paramount is calling their global zombie epidemic movie World War Z. It's a great title that many people will instantly recognize-- even if you haven't read Max Brooks' book, you've probably at least heard of it. But just because I understand the rationale doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.

Why? Because World War Z has already been ruined and it hasn't even finished filming yet.

Paramount sent out a press release this morning announcing the new December 21, 2012 release date for the Marc Forster-directed film and what little interest I still had in the project died off completely (most of it took a bullet to the head when Forster, the bumbling action director who ruined Quantum of Solace, was signed to direct). Now, my interest didn't die because I'm a busy guy who already has plans for December 21st, 2012, it died because I read the studio's official synopsis for the film:

"The story revolves around United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Pitt), who traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself. Enos plays Gerry’s wife Karen Lane; Kertesz is his comrade in arms, Segen."

The director ego strikes again and destroys the material that got famous long before whatever idiot decided to make this change got his hands on it.

They should just call the next Resident Evil (another zombie storyline they killed) World War Z if they are going to complete ruin the story line. I Am Legend turned into a story about a heroic doctor. Doom was turned into a completely ridiculous story about genetics.

[FanboyOf91]

Absolute fail!



(can we get HBO to do the reboot?)

[Koolblue13]

The last place I want to be on December 21, 2012 is a movie theater.

[mardi gras skin]

Its Hollywood. I hear they're already casting for a World War Z reboot in 2014.

[Thanos]

I can't wait t see it.

[GhostofSparta]

Well this is going to piss me off immensely. I like World War Z because it's different from almost everything else in the zombie universe: it's about what happens in the aftermath, when humanity has survived the threat, but barely, and was pushed to the brink in the process.

This? This is every other zombie movie. Hell, why not just call it 'World War Z: beginnings" or "28 Days Before" or "Resident Evil: **** you!"

[sean_e_b]

I've never read the book, but I understand being upset that it's quite different. On the other hand, different doesn't necessarily mean the movie will be awful.

This is directed by Marc Forster whom has a pretty solid track record (Quantum of Solace, Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction). Screenplay writer, Matthew Michael Carnahan, has only written 3 movies (State of Play, Lions For Lambs, The Kingdom), but they might give you an idea of what to expect from him. I almost forgot to mention Brad Pitt, whom probably has the best track record of the 3. Anything with Pitt and Bryan Cranston is definitely going to get a watch from me.

[Mr. Sinister]

I don't even want to talk about DOOM/RE. There was very little that you could go wrong with in terms of available plotlines/scenarios, and yet they both got completely butchered.

[sean_e_b]

I don't even want to talk about DOOM/RE. There was very little that you could go wrong with in terms of available plotlines/scenarios, and yet they both got completely butchered.

Doom and Resident Evil were ruined by the choice of directors more than anything. I'd say Marc Forster is 10 times the director of Paul W.S. Anderson and Andrzej Bartkowiak, but I'd be wrong. . . it's more like 1000 times better.

[Destino]

I don't understand why Hollywood takes a storyline that has succeeded and then tries to reinvent the wheel. Just ask yourself how many fail versus the tiny fraction that ever make it big. Why risk it by screwing with the formula? World War Z was a huge cult hit because it didn't go the lame ass hero angle. What's makes the genre different is that the heroes die and their victories are temporary. There is no way to avoid massive human costs.

They might as well give "Gerry" psychic powers and implicate the umbrella corporation.

[Mr. Sinister]

I don't understand why Hollywood takes a storyline that has succeeded and then tries to reinvent the wheel. Just ask yourself how many fail versus the tiny fraction that ever make it big. Why risk it by screwing with the formula? World War Z was a huge cult hit because it didn't go the lame ass hero angle. What's makes the genre different is that the heroes die and their victories are temporary. There is no way to avoid massive human costs.

They might as well give "Gerry" psychic powers and implicate the umbrella corporation.

I don't know what your opinion is on the Dawn Of The Dead (2004) remake, but I kind of liked the way they ended it. Temporary victory as you say, and then they presumably all die in the end to keep it realistic.

[Destino]

I don't know what your opinion is on the Dawn Of The Dead (2004) remake, but I kind of liked the way they ended it. Temporary victory as you say, and then they presumably all die in the end to keep it realistic.

I liked it. Not sold on the running zombies 100% yet though. If they want crazy action and zombies make left4dead and make it like Crank.

[Califan007]

Doom was turned into a completely ridiculous story about genetics.

On the list of "Why Doom Sucked", the storyline being about genetics ranks around #18 lol...

[Henry]

The book was absolutely brilliant, and I honestly don't think you can do it justice in a two-hour movie. Whoever said a mimi-series on HBO has the right idea.

[Koolblue13]

On the list of "Why Doom Sucked", the storyline being about genetics ranks around #18 lol...

I walked out of the theater for that one. It was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. If it was debuted on SyFy, I would have turned it off.

I'm a sucker for zombie movies too. They can be terrible, far fetched (even for a zombie movie), whatever. I love um.