Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy Ranked

“Shaun of the Dead,” released in 2004, is the film that kicked off the beloved Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy. This zombie comedy introduces us to Shaun, portrayed by Simon Pegg, a Londoner who epitomizes the hard-luck everyman. At the outset of the story, Shaun’s life is in shambles: his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) has just broken up with him, his younger co-workers don’t take him seriously, and his roommate Pete (Peter Serafinowicz) is fed up with the juvenile antics he shares with his best friend Ed (Nick Frost).

As if Shaun’s personal troubles weren’t enough, chaos ensues when a zombie apocalypse suddenly descends upon London. Completely unprepared, Shaun must step up to save his loved ones and prove that he’s more than the pushover everyone thinks he is. Pegg delivers a memorable performance, excellently capturing the character’s transition from immature layabout to unexpected hero.

Supporting actors also make notable contributions. Kate Ashfield shines as the exasperated yet resilient Liz, and Nick Frost brings humor and heart as the loyal yet irresponsible Ed. Bill Nighy delivers a nuanced performance as Shaun’s stepfather, Philip, adding depth to the familial tensions. However, it’s Dylan Moran’s portrayal of Liz’s irritating friend David that stands out. His character’s open disdain for Shaun makes him a profoundly unlikable figure, turning his demise into a satisfyingly cathartic moment for the audience.

“Shaun of the Dead” is lauded by both fans and critics, holding an impressive 92% critic rating and a 93% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. These ratings highlight its widespread acclaim and enduring popularity. However, opinions on the Cornetto Trilogy vary. While “Shaun of the Dead” is undeniably a standout horror-comedy, some believe it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the subsequent films in the trilogy.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes