The blockbuster "World War Z", adapted by domestic distributors as the "War of the Worlds Z", is one of the most expensive and one of the most personal projects of Brad Pitt, who acted in the film as a producer, actor and caste specialist. The problematic filming process, despite the ominous forecasting, did not turn into a failure. The tape paid off at the box office and received an acceptable IMDb rating of 7.00. The actors of the film “War of the Worlds Z” (2013) received positive reviews from cinema experts on demonstrated skill.
Large-scale but sterile project
The main factor that fans of the “zombie apocalypse” genre need to know about the film “War of the Worlds Z” (2013) was reviewed by experts as its age rating. It is very soft in the film - PG-13, that is, even teenagers 13 years old accompanied by their parents can be present in the hall. And this means that there will be no scenes of cruelty and violence in the narrative. The film is neutral, which is rare among zombie films. At the initial stage of production, the creators “twisted their arms” with a lightweight age rating. Therefore, the transformation of a literary source, which is a pseudo-documentary post-war chronicle, into an apocalyptic thriller with an admixture of a medical detective took place in several stages. Modifications did not escape even the living dead. The infection rate in the movie is 11 seconds, fundamentally truncating the traditional genre suspense. Infected, becoming zombies scamper at the speed of Olympic sprinters. In theory, humanity would not have a chance to survive under such conditions. But logic did not take paramount place in the thoughts of the creators of a large-scale commercial blockbuster.
Linear story with a central character
As a result of long production upheavals, the film crew of the movie “War of the Worlds Z” (2013) decided to simplify the plot by replacing the many-sided structure of the literary source with a linear story with a key character. The director Mark Forster, after an interview with the media, pointed out that he did not set himself the task of literally filming the novel, to make the narrative close to the text. Indeed, it is simply impossible to illustrate a long-term world war in 116 minutes of the timing of a feature film.
The authors of the project for the zombie apocalypse genre could not do anything innovative, even with all their desire. Everything that could have been invented was already invented, so Foster simply correctly implemented the function of a strong artisan. A creative group of screenwriters composed of M. Karnakhan, D. Goddard and D. Lindelof processed the eponymous book from a patchwork narrative, building a solid and coherent storyline.
Plot
The plot of the film “War of the Worlds Z” tells the story of the protagonist of the former UN employee Jerry Lane (Brad Pitt), who resigned and devoted himself to the family. Now, he spends almost all of his time with his beautiful wife (Mireille Inos) and two daughters. When the epidemic begins, he turns to the deputy for help. UN Secretary General Thierry Umutoni (Fan Mokoena). He sends for the Lanes a helicopter that transports the family to a military aircraft carrier. Finding himself in a circle of colleagues, Jerry learns that the United States has lost its president, there are practically no infected territories left on the planet, with the exception of isolated Jerusalem. A group led by promising young virologist Andrew Fassback (Iles Gabel) is advancing for exploration in South Korea.
Scientists intend to find the cause of the infection and find its weak point. The military did not leave Jerry's choice, persuading him to take part in the expedition, in case of refusal, threatening to send his family back to the coast, already teeming with the living dead. Actors of the film “War of the Worlds Z” (2013), realizing this author’s concept, showed real professionalism, but still no one managed to outshine Brad Pitt.
Connecting link
A variety of locations in the film allowed the director to periodically transform the overall style of the film. The action then presses on the dynamics, splashing out onto the streets, then rampage in the claustrophobic interiors, where each ill-conceived movement promises the characters an inevitable death. The choice of successful locations was due to the merit of the operator Ben Seresin, although initially this position was supposed to be occupied by no less skilled Robert Richardson.
The connecting link of all plot branches in the film was Brad Pitt, whose character moves with hopeless obstinacy to his cherished goal. Therefore, the rest of the casting is initially doomed to remain in the shadow of a first-order star. The actor demonstrates special skill, aerobatics of professionalism and impeccably closes the audience’s attention on the personality of his hero. The remaining performers who played roles in the film “War of the Worlds Z” (2013) and their characters serve as a frame for the personality of the central hero.
The dream of millions of women around the planet
Brad Pitt needs to be given his due, he very convincingly plays the role of a former UN employee, who, by virtue of circumstances, was involuntarily at the epicenter of events significant for human civilization. If necessary, his character will show excellent firearms skills, be smart, demonstrate a sad, all-understanding look, will become a model of selflessness and heroism.
It is very interesting to watch the hero quickly adapt to emerging dangers. And in a moment of despair, when he goes to the edge of the roof, in his mind, calculating the time to point X, to protect the family, Pitt looks realistic and convincing. Jerry performed by Brad - the embodiment of nobility and human peace. In general, an ideal candidate for the title of a real noble savior of mankind. Other actors in the film “War of the Worlds Z” (2013) do not reach its level.
Minor Acting Ensemble
The role of spouse Jerry Karen went to actress Mireille Inos. The performer originally built her creative career on television, made her debut in a big movie in 2001 in the film "Flirt with the Beast." Subsequently, she returned to TV and took part in the creation of the famous series “Medium”, “CSI: Crime Scene”, “Lie to Me”, “Law and Order”, etc.
The actors of the film “War of the Worlds Z” (2013), who had to interact with young actresses who played the roles of the daughters of the protagonist, were delighted with their talent for reincarnations. The roles of the babies were successful for the debutante Abigail Hargrove and the performer of the role of Judy Warren from Spell 1.2, Sterling Jerins.
Having embodied the image of a WHO employee Peter Capaldi, two months after the premiere of the picture, he was chosen as the next incarnation of the main character of the Doctor Who series.
Brian Cranston and Ed Harris were supposed to take part in the production of the tape, but, unfortunately, left the project due to inconsistency in the shooting schedule.
For the picture, several episodes were filmed with the participation of domestic artist Konstantin Khabensky, but this segment was not included in the final editing.