Review of Warm Bodies (2013) by Ian B — 01 Jan 2017

Classic literature often offers many enriching plots, characters and themes but can often provide the consumer with a bit of leg work in the actual consumption process. If done correctly, contemporary takes on these works are molded to the times in which they are created allowing modern audiences the ability to consume the same material the classic present but in a more user friendly presentation.

Warm Bodies, directed by Jonathan Levine, offers this exact formula of the contemporary portrayal of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, appealing to a modern audience while following the classic plot of the play.

R is a zombie that displays the same woe for life as Romeo until his life is suddenly changed by the lovely Julie. Upon meeting a reaction is triggered inside R allowing him to turn back into the human he once was.

While love is clearly the trigger for his character there is a chain reaction as the other zombies begin to recognize that they too can feel love as they watch R and Julie's love unfold. This theme of love changing people for the better is certainly present in Shakespeare's original text but is a bit more accessible to the everyday person who hasn't studied classic literature, ultimately allowing modern audiences a similar enrichment as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.