Shaun of the Dead is a self-professed ZomRomCom, aka a romantic comedy with zombies. So it has a great title and an even better tagline, and, fortunately, the substance to back them up.

The first surprise is that it isn't just a parody, but a full-blown zombie movie in its own right, with a self-awareness of the conventions, but also the full quota of blood and terror. The second surprise is that it actually has heart, moments of genuine emotion and meaning.

Shaun is an ordinary guy who is stuck in a dead-end job, shares a grungy flat with his loser best friend Ed, fails to ever do anything special for his girlfriend Liz, avoids his mum because he doesn't get on with his stepdad, and always ends his evenings down at the local pub. It is only when Liz dumps him that Shaun finally resolves to change his life. The next day, the zombie apocalypse shows up, and his life threatens to change much more drastically than he ever wanted.

Watching the zombie apocalypse collide with suburban London is a great concept, and it is highly entertaining to watch Shaun and his friends try to deal with it. There is humour, black humour, and plenty of gore. The main cast - Simon Pegg as Shaun, Nick Frost as Ed, and Kate Ashfield as Liz - all do a good job of their characters, and special mention must go to Penelope Wilton as Shaun's mum and Bill Nighy as Shaun's stepdad, for pulling out not only the comedy but the pathos.

Shaun of the Dead is an entertaining romp, although not as focused and compelling as its successor, Hot Fuzz. But the evident growth and development of the creators is heartening, and gives me great hope for The World's End, the upcoming third movie in the Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy.