Movie Review – Warm Bodies

Buy Warm Bodies the DVD on Amazon.com

Actors: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry, Dave Franco, Analeigh Tipton
Directors: Jonathan Levine
Writers: Jonathan Levine
Producers: Bruna Papandrea, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman
Language: English
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Summit Inc/Lionsgate
Run Time: 98 minutes

I’ve been wanting to see WARM BODIES for awhile, for a couple of reasons. Which, when I explain, will seem a little strange. You see, I have an irrational fear of zombies. Vampires, werewolves, demons, I can handle all supernatural beings, but for some reason zombies scare the crap out of me. Maybe it’s because I can actually for see a circumstance where zombies exist. It’s not so far fetched to imagine a disease that makes people’s bodies start to decay (leprosy) and they become rabid trying to bite other people (rabies). I don’t honestly think we could have the undead or walking dead thing, but messed up humans with a horribly contagious disease? Yes, I can see it. So I don’t usually watch zombie movies. Even the funny ones.

Having said that, when I heard about this movie I was intrigued. Years ago I posted on a forum in Absolute Write an idea for a YA book where a zombie and a human fall in love. Since I am deathly afraid of zombies, I knew I would never write it, so I put the idea out there for anyone who wanted to use it. Now, I’m not saying that Isaac Marion used my idea. I mean, what are the chances he saw that and his desire to create a story blossomed around an innocuous post I left years ago? I’d say there’s a greater chance that two people in this world of billions had a similar idea. Either way, it’s pretty cool to say, “I thought of that!” and then see the results of someone’s imagination. His, not mine. I take no credit. I’m just explaining my interest in this story.

So anyway, I was a bit apprehensive, it being zombies and all, but I took the dive. My husband was with me, so I could hide my eyes or squeeze his hand if I needed to. For the most part it was fine. I was only minorly grossed-out a few times and it wasn’t too awfully scary. There were a few scenes that made me jump, fear for the characters and overall be in a state of suspense. Just the right amount of suspense in fact. So basically anyone should be able to handle this movie if I can.

As to the story, I loved it. Especially the fact that since zombies don’t really talk, we hear a narration from the MC’s POV, even though he doesn’t say much in character. He still thinks, he still feels, a little, and we see that through the narration of the boy he probably once was. We get him being a horrible zombie, eating people’s brains, which is repulsive, but hey, he’s a zombie. What do you expect? And we get to see how he feels about it all. The director did a great job of showing the zombies as pretty awful human-eaters, and as sympathetic characters who didn’t ask to be zombies in the first place.

There’s an interesting twist as to why the zombie’s eat brains and also what the zombies become after they’ve been zombified long enough. Let’s just say that’s even scarier than the zombies. And I love the concept of what changes things from the zombies-eat-humans status quo. I won’t reveal anything in case you hate spoilers, which I do, but it’s another great twist on the traditional zombie tale.

The characters in this story were all amazing. Likable, yet flawed, they make mistakes, act selfish, are afraid and do things we know will have bad results, but that’s what makes good characters. You root for Julie even when she’s being a bit of a bitch. You hope R beats this zombie thing even while you’re terrified he’s going to turn on Julie. And R’s best friend? Not only was he cast perfectly in Rob Corrdry, but his character was sympathetic and likable, even when he’s asking R to eat Julie. Well, asking in Zombie grunts and nudges.

Overall I found this to be a great love story. Unconventional? Yes. A little gross at times? Absolutely. But to be honest I’m so sick of been-there-done-that fall in love at first sight with “the one” love stories that I’m open to anything else. This movie was funny, sarcastic (which I love), a little scary, a bit gross and had enough action and suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat (figuratively, not really). I’d watch it again, which is a big compliment for me, and I can’t wait to read the book. It’s actually a big no-no for me to see a movie before I read the book, but I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. So I guess I’ll just add it to my huge TBR pile and call it a day.

My Review: 4.5/5 stars

Buy Warm Bodies: A Novel on Amazon.com

Note: I looked for the post I made online to prove I wasn’t just making that up, but I couldn’t find it. My archived posts didn’t go back far enough. 🙂