Shaun of the Dead (2004, GBR) C-99m. SCOPE *** D: Edgar Wright. Starring Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Nick Frost, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Edgar Wright. Hellishly funny horror comedy which bases its plot outline on George Romero's NIGHT OF THE DEAD (1968) and its sequel DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978). Pegg's life is at a crossroads: He is stuck in a low-paid job, his roommate is a parasite, and his girlfriend Ashfield is giving him trouble. No wonder he's not paying attention when London starts being gripped by a zombie epidemic. When he does notice the chaos, he can finally prove what he's worth. Well-directed, often hilarious horror spoof with a knock-out performance by Pegg. Also works in serious sequences, an instant cult hit. Screenplay (by Pegg and the director himself) is a great homage to cult movies.