Warm Bodies

My Grade:  A-

Warm Bodies combines romance and action with... zombies? That doesn’t sound right, does it? Well it’s right and it’s pretty cool. I’m a sucker for fresh, original premises, though. I wasn’t even planning to see this film, however, until I realized that it’s written and directed by Jonathan Levine. He was the genius at the helm of the hands-down best film of 2011, 50/50 (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen), so I figured I’d give Warm Bodies a shot. I’m glad I did.

This film follows introspective zombie, R (an understated but amazing turn from Nicholas Hoult), as he falls for (and kidnaps) a living, breathing human girl, Julie (the gorgeous and genuine Teresa Palmer). It also teaches us a little more about why zombies eat human brains, which is great. When a zombie eats a human brain, they get to experience what that human experienced. It’s the closest they can get to dreaming. Sounds a bit cheesy, I know, but it’s very sweet and almost makes us want them to get the chance to eat brains... almost.

The best thing about this film is the self-aware, witty thoughts of our protagonist, R, which we are made privy to via voiceover. He is hilarious and he tries so hard to be a good person despite having an unquenchable hunger for humans. The film sags in the middle, though. It’s the whole “getting to know you” portion of the rom-com (which this film is, despite it effectively fooling some people) and it’s a rather boring version of that rom-com necessity. But, introducing the premise at the beginning is great, and the ending is surprisingly action packed. 

Now, the whole thing about zombies sort of gradually becoming more alive (which you should know from the trailers... no spoilers here) is kind of hard to cope with if you’re a big fan of zombies. It also comes off a bit cheesy if you think about it too long. Love can literally warm a heart... like the metaphoric phrase “heart warming.” I personally am cool with it and like the hope that it gives, but some of the more hardcore zombie fans may scoff at that idea. I guess it’s a good thing this film isn’t aimed at hardcore zombie fans.

It also has a great look. The gloomy, washed out nature of the film fits the mood perfectly and makes the vibrant flashbacks and dream sequences that much more incredible to watch. There are also some very creative shots. The most impressive thing visually, though, is how real the “bonies” (zombies with all their flesh gone) look. They are terrifying and amazingly realistic.

Overall, Warm Bodies is a welcome breath of fresh life in an overdone genre and it contains some wonderful performances. I mentioned Hoult and Palmer, but Analeigh Tipton (Crazy Stupid Love) and Dave Franco (21 Jump Street) are very fitting casting choices as well. And, of course, John Malkovich is always great. You wouldn’t think a zombie film would make a good date movie, but Warm Bodies would. Bring your tissues, though, because some of the more emotional audience members will probably shed a tear or two.