Review of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) by Foxgrove — 17 Feb 2016

At first instance one is dismissive of such an unlikely premise of mixing the high literature of Jane Austen with the Z grade antics of zombie land. However, whist not a total success there is definitely much here to commend a film that is at least lively and entertaining.

True, the film is happiest when pursuing Austen and ignoring Seth Grahame Smith’s liberty taking best seller, but the film succeeds a lot better than one could imagine. The attractive cast are easy on the eye and the film has a surprisingly up market feel to it, aided no end by some lovely music, costumes and production Design.

On the negative side the fight scenes are less engaging than they should be and on occasion down right daft. The Zombies seem to be like puppets on a string attacking the ‘normal’ cast on cue, but ignoring them when the scene so requires.

The denouement to the fight scene between Darcy and Wickham is signposted a mile off. Another between Darcy and Elizabeth that comically promises sexual suggestion, a la 1963’s food scene in ‘Tom Jones’, is sadly never realised to its full delicious potential.

The visual effects and Zombie make ups are variable in quality. Whilst shots of London and St Paul’s burning are very impressive, the demolition of the bridge fares less well. In a supporting turn Matt Smith scores heavily in the laughs department as the less than tactful Pastor Collins.

Overall for mild divertissement it all fits the bill very nicely.