In fair post-apocalyptic America,
where we lay our scene,
from recent grudge break to new mutiny,
where zombie blood makes civil hands unclean.
Warm Bodies, a book originally written by Isaac Marion and adapted by Jonathan Levine, is almost original. The story, a take on the not so original Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is cleverly directed into a comedy, romance, horror film– that much I’m sure many have never thought of being possible.
A zombie named “R” finds himself going through his same routine every day– walking through the airport, grunting and occasionally meeting up with his friend for an exchange of groans and such– until one day he finds himself doing something that other zombies can not: thinking.
Zombies naturally eat the surviving humans and the humans naturally try to kill the zombies (much like any video game that’s come out in the last several years). Upon a human hunting excursion, R falls in love with Julie, the daughter of the man leading the human charge in killing the zombie race. From there it becomes a strange love story about a zombie developing thoughts, feelings and dreams.
The musical score, expertly composed by Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, was pleasing and really added to the atmosphere. I have not yet read the book, so I can not say whether it was a good adapted screenplay or not, but it was an enjoyable film. The acting was good, or as good as it can get pretending to be a zombie because who knows the right way to do that? The character development was slow, but it got there. Unfortunately it got there too late, at a point where I didn’t care anymore.
As for the plot, all I can say without giving away the film is that it was more of a typical romance film plot then a comedy or horror film. The escalation was slow and the climax boring. It did not take the same direction that Romeo and Juliet followed when it certainly should have, considering the circumstances of the film.
I would not advise anyone to drop what they’re doing and go see this movie. If you can wait, then wait until it comes out on DVD, because it’s definitely a rainy day, stay at home kind of movie.
