Review of Warm Bodies (2013) by Joanna B — 24 Oct 2016

A uniquely slanted and socially conscious retelling of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, this emo-flavored zom-rom-com penned by Isaac Marion adapted and directed by Jonathan Levine is a portrait of adolescent alienation rather than the usual zombie gore fest.

R (Nicolas Moult) has issues, he's a zombie. Merely existing with his metabolically challenged neighbours at the airport, the inexplicably self-aware R and cohort painstakingly grunt and shuffle their way through eternity in the post-apocalyptic wastelands that is North America whilst craving an ever dwindling supply of human brains that sustains not only their hunger but induces a fleeting drug-like-high from the memories contained within.

After devouring a particularly disturbed teenage boy, R is overwhelmed with feelings of love for is victim's still breathing sweetheart, Julie (Teresa Palmer). Preventing her imminent death at the mouths of his fellow dead; R brings his new light in the darkness back to his makeshift jumbo-jet home filled with a bizarre mish-mash thrift-shop worthy pop-culture memorabilia.

An unlikely romance blossoms between the odd couple, setting off a chain of events that will transform R, the undead, and maybe even the whole lifeless world. But will Julie's stubbornness lead the hordes directly into the last remaining human refuge or is there something worse to fear than your average rotting corpse?

Backed by Summit Entertainment, like their recent box office fantasy juggernaut, The Twilight Saga, Warm Bodies doesn't feel the need to explain its bastardization of subject. Its breaks from tradition are likely to disappoint genre purists but its distinctive perspective of being carried by the zombie rather than its survivors married with its lead characters internal self-mocking tenor, makes the pseudo-indie film worthwhile (well most of it - as usual the last 10 minutes need exemption).

British Hoult's expressiveness carries R, while Australian Palmers naivety does Julie justice and although their chemistry is no-existent, their faux American accents are quite believable. Their respective best friends, the brilliantly casted Rob Corddry and Analeigh Tipton bring an extra dabble of Shakespearean flavor whilst adding comic buoyancy whilst the the supremely talented John Malkovich and dreadfully funny Dave Franco were as dead as the films topic and their simply to cash a paycheck.

The Verdict: Sidestepping the glaringly obvious social issues of necrophilia, Warm bodies fuses teen drama and the ickiest (and usually un-sexiest ) form of the undead in a zombie hot pocket of guiltily tasty cinema.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 13/04/2013.