Everyone has heard the cliché phrase, “The book is so much better than the movie!” Then you probably rolled your eyes and never cracked open the book you spent $24.99 on at a Barnes and Noble to appease your friend. Your friend is the type of person who actually has time to sit down and read. They probably have time to actually eat breakfast too.
Now when it comes to World War Z, the phrase does not apply, because the book and the movie are polar opposites.
Max Brooks’ novel follows dozens of characters in their individual testimonies of life during the zombie outbreak. Each of the stories is fascinating and quickly paced with the distressed nature of the world coming through the style of Brooks’ writing.
At times the narratives can seem unrelated and incoherent, but the purpose of the novel was to imitate the war journals of past; and in that Brooks mixes history with fantasy, making a social commentary with a zombie war guise. If this is fascinating to you, I highly recommend the book for it appeals to a broad spectrum of readers: a little action, fantasy, history and military strategy.
In comparison, the recently released movie follows one man, former UN investigator Gerry Lane, as he searches the world for a cure to the outbreak.
The movie is packed start to finish with action and is a welcome change from the mediocrity of “serious” zombie movies before it.
It shows very few similarities to the novel of the same name, but it would be quite difficult to follow and require so many actors that if it were a replica of the book, the star power appeal of Brad Pitt would be lost.
Overall:
Pros of the book: Compelling anecdotes from around the world; An interesting and excellent read; distinction
Cons: It will most certainly take you longer than approx. two hours to finish it as opposed to the movie
Pros of the movie: nonstop action; BRAD PITT
Cons: Few similarities and maybe some disappointment from fans of the book
