The past few years we’ve seen a surging movement in films
and T.V. to capture modernized tales of the supernatural and undead, and we, the
fans, can’t seem to get enough. Warm Bodies shows that the zombie sub-genre has
not run out of steam yet and offers up a healthy dose of something fresh.
The premise is similar to Shaun of the Dead in that there is
a bit of romance, a dash of comedy, and a light sprinkling of horror mixed with
some nasty gore but with a twist. Unlike many other zombie films this movie
places the zombie population as the hapless protagonists who apparently have a
smattering of higher thought functions. Oh and an insatiable hunger for brains
naturally. The backdrop for the film is set in what seems to be perhaps the final
outpost of humanity encircled by the ruined world they once knew (similar to
George Romero’s Land of the Dead but less dystopian). Unlike other zombie films, however, Warm Bodies introduces us to a lower form of zombie which is akin to
the monsters you might find in a late night dungeon crawl in Dungeons &
Dragons (if you have seen the trailers these are the skeleton looking fiends).
The overall pace of the film slows down occasionally in the
beginning as they try to get enough of the story out so you understand the main
character’s plight and the position of zombies in the natural order. While
definitely a funny film, the use of comedy could have been used to boost some
of the longer scenes to help keep the audience engaged. The style of comedy may
not be to everyone’s liking either. It harkens back to an earlier era of film
making when one could actually focus on the comedic value of uncomfortable
scenes and awkward stances rather than crude jokes and forced one-liners.
However, this movie does have its fair share of one-line zingers which are well
timed and definitely funny.
Nicholas Hoult (best known as the Beast from X-men First
Class) does a fantastic job playing the remorseful zombie wanting more from
life. Considering he’s a zombie for most of the film, he does a great job of
remaining in character and keeping that ‘look’.
Teresa Palmer (I am Number Four and Sorcerer’s Apprentice) has the
difficult task of being the love interest in the film, one she manages to pull
off well. Parts of her role are sped along naturally due to the limitations of
film but she and Hoult actually have decent on screen chemistry. Rob Corddry
(Hot Tub Time Machine) was a real shock for me in this film. His stance, make
up job, and mannerisms early on had me thinking he was Mark Strong (Kick-Ass,
Green Lantern, Sherlock Holmes). I was really impressed when I realized it was
Corddry playing the role of Hoult’s best undead buddy. The only real crime this
movie committed to me was the lack of John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich, Red,
Dangerous Liaisons), but given the premise of the movie (a story loosely based
on Romeo and Juliet) it is understandable. He makes do with what he’s given and
makes for a believable antagonist but given his talent level it would have been
nice if they could have used him more.
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