World War III: How Hollywood Botched an Undeniable Classic 'brad pitt world war z'

It's hard not to wonder what could've been when discussing the 2013 blockbuster film adaptation of Max Brooks' post-apocalyptic novel World War Z. Starring Oscar-nominee Brad Pitt in the lead role, one would expect a thrilling and thought-provoking tale that lives up to its source material.

Unfortunately for fans of the book and zombie enthusiasts alike, director Marc Forster's attempt falls flat on nearly every level. Despite boasting an all-star cast including Mireille Enos as Pitt's wife and children in danger, World War Z devolves into a predictable, action-packed mess that fails to deliver on its massive potential.

The fault of this disappointing effort certainly isn't down to the performances from either Pitt or his co-stars; indeed, both prove more than capable within their respective roles. However, even an otherwise solid turn from one of Hollywood's most bankable stars can't salvage a narrative as dull and predictable as that offered here.

With its over-reliance on tired zombie movie tropes – think hordes upon hordes of undead shambling mindlessly towards our hero at every available opportunity – World War Z feels less like an honest attempt to breathe new life into this exhausted genre, more akin to a lazy cash-grab designed simply to capitalise on audience fatigue with the likes of The Walking Dead and 28 Days Later.

While Pitt does his best to inject some much-needed gravitas and heart into proceedings as former United Nations employee ex-cop Gerry Lane (because 'Gerry' just doesn't quite roll off the tongue, does it?), even he struggles against a script that reads more like an amalgamation of every other post-apocalyptic action flick from recent memory.

In short, World War Z represents everything wrong with big-budget Hollywood filmmaking in 2013: safe choices over originality; star power over genuine talent; and above all else – despite having access to some truly exceptional source material at its disposal – an utter lack of vision or ambition that results in a dull, forgettable slog from start to finish.

Rating: *1/2 out of five stars

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