Based on the best-selling novel by Max Brooks, “World War Z,” like a lot of films before it, deals with the subject of a zombie virus. The virus has spread in the third world for a year or two, before it bursts out of the world’s international airports and illegal organ trade, and quickly lays waste to* the West.

    Brooks’ novel follows the blueprint, but then heads off into a long and detailed* study of geo-politics* and carefully researched “future history.” Most people who’ve read the book conclude* that the only way to film it would be as a long-running big-budget* television series. With this film, Brad Pitt and its producers have proved them right.

    In fact, the movie is disappointing. There is nothing here you haven’t seen done better and more inventively* in films “28 Days Later” and “28 Weeks Later.”

    In the film, the world is coming to an end. Zombies are taking over the earth and only retired U.N. Investigator Gerry Lane can save the day*.

    He is unwilling to help at first. After his friend and former colleague* Thierry (Fana Mokoena) gets his wife Karin and their two daughters to safety aboard a naval* ship off the Atlantic coast of the United States, he agrees to investigate* possible links in South Korea, where the word “zombie” was first referred to* in a message from a military base.

    The movie was initially* due for release last year but was released this summer amid rumors* of problems with the script. “Lost” writer Damon Lindelof was drafted in* to help save the project.

    The movie’s ending was completely changed and led to weeks of re-shoots*, while the US$125 million budget ballooned to US$200 million.

    It’s easy to see where the money went, as scene after scene overflows with crowds of people (many of them CGI-generated) and elaborate* backgrounds. The film is a feast for the eyes (the 3D conversion is very good). Marco Beltrami’s score is always there to supply further excitement.

    (SD-Agencies)