When I first heard that World War Z was coming out in theaters, I was a bit shocked at the thought of Brad Pitt starring in a zombie movie. Then I saw Mireille Enos as his wife, a major change from the real life partner: Angelina Jolie. Regardless, I was intrigued and wanted to see the film. However, there’s a part of me that hates to see films prior to reading the novels the films were based on (a minor quirk of mine). So, I thought I’d wait until it came out on DVD or netflix, in the meantime scout out the novel.

Ironically, I was at my favorite used book shop in Georgetown (the part of town, not the campus) [Shout out to The Lantern (for those who know of it, it’s amazing; for those who don’t, go NOW!)] when I stumbled across a used copy of the novel by Max Brooks. I kept it on my shelves for a while (I have a constant supply of a range of books I want to read) until the weekend following my comprehensive exams. I need death, dying, and destruction after that trial that I experienced (and if anyone knows how comps are, they understand my disposition at that point in time).

Anyway, the book is excellent. Now, unlike my other reviews, I won’t go into the explicit positives and negatives. However, one major positive of this novel must be its style. It is a compilation of mini-stories in which discuss how the zombie plague came about, how people protected themselves, and where some hid during the course of the war. In this alone, the book is worth the read. At the same token, after reading it, I was extremely curious how this novel was adapted to film. Seeing how there were so many various characters and really only one constant character whose story really wasn’t a main topic, I was really curious as to how the filmmakers stayed true to the work.

Now, the film is well-done. The zombies are so much more real than the ones in “The Walking Dead” (even though those are quite realistic). But the basic animalistic characteristics that are seen in the film is awesome and really gives a lot to the film. Yet given this, the film still does not compare to the novel, on any level. Brad Pitt’s portrayal of the main character was well-done, and Mireille Enos’ role was much more minor and she seemed much softer than her usual “hard ass” Detective self on “The Killing.” My one complaint (other than not mirroring the novel) was the ending. SPOILER for those who have not read or seen the movie!

The zombies only attack those humans they deem as “healthy,” so a potential way to save the human species is to make those that are healthy then unhealthy. Ok, I understand that, but I really disliked how the film organized the climax and ending. Pitt gained access to biohazardous contagions and then injected himself and he was the guinea pig to see if the method worked. And then the movie ended. Done. The novel told so much more of a story and how the zombie illness affected the human population (death toll, relationships, and people around the globe) that this film really left much of that out which was just…sad.

It would be good for everyone to see both film and read the novel. Or even, and I just thought of this, listen to the book on tape. I’m sure it’s amazing (especially with the right voice). But if you had to choose, read the novel, thought-provoking isn’t even the tip of the iceberg.