Review: Warm Bodies

Zombies are now seen as a menace to society. But R (Nicholas Hoult) immediately strikes us as different. For starters, he’s the surprisingly articulate narrator of the beginning of the film, even though his speaking voice is a whole lot slower to get the words out than his internal monologue. He’s a thinking zombie, it seems, and is certainly different from the skeletal Bonies, zombies that are far too gone, with no trace of humanity left whatsoever, including skin. But like I said, R is much different. When he eats the brains of Teresa Palmer’s boyfriend (Dave Franco, James’ brother) and gains access to his memories, he feels a connection to Palmer. Palmer is understandably a little frightened, what with R being a zombie and having eaten her boyfriend’s brains. But after taking Palmer away from almost certain lunch by R’s zombie brethren (including Rob Corddry) not to mention the Bonies, something of a bond develops between human and zombie. And it’s this bond that might just prove to be the breakthrough in the battle between humans and zombies. In order for that to happen, though, Palmer must get through to her hawkish father (John Malkovich), leader of a militant group trying to wipe out the zombies. Analeigh Tipton plays Palmer’s sister, who is somewhat shocked by her new ‘interest’.

 

What looks at first glance like an uncomfortable and unendurable zombie version of “Twilight” turns out unexpectedly interesting. Written and directed by Jonathan Levine (who after his lame debut with “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane” and the uneven “50/50” is getting better and better), it’s certainly smart enough to never take itself too seriously, at any rate. Just make sure you’re smart enough not to think too much about wanting to see a human and a zombie get together. We’re talking necrophilia, people and the film is based on a book for young adults. Yep, necrophilia is sooo cool wit’ the young ‘uns, apparently. Then again I guess the situation in the “Twilight” films is just as sick, too. Vampires are undead, and don’t even get me started on werewolves. If it weren’t for the monochromatic, “Twilight” rip-off visual palette chosen by the cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe (“The Road”, and yes, “Twilight: New Moon”), I’d have liked this film even more. It’s like the film was trying to have its cake and eat it too, somewhat, and it’s no surprise to find Summit Entertainment behind it.

 

As is, though, it’s still surprisingly fun, interesting, and disarmingly funny. Nicholas Hoult’s narration is refreshingly funny to the point where if it weren’t for all the “Twilight” similarities, you wouldn’t even guess at its young adult literature origins. Hoult’s words not quite matching the speed of his inner monologue doesn’t really make any sense, but the film would be much lesser without that narration/inner monologue. In fact, the film could’ve stood to be even funnier than it is. Meanwhile, whatever comparisons one could make between Teresa Palmer and Kristen Stewart in regards to their looks, there’s no doubt the Aussie has much more range. Former “America’s Next Top Model” graduate Analeigh Tipton (whom I instantly recognised, making me reassess my TV viewing habits) steals her every scene as Palmer’s sister, through sheer charisma and personality. She’s one to watch in future, I think, and it’s a shame she’s not in the film all that much.

 

There’s some really interesting stuff here in relation to the depiction of zombies. They aren’t all in lock-step with one another, and seem ever-so slightly alive. I also found the idea interesting that eating brains allows the zombies to experience humanity through another person’s memories. There’s something almost sad and touching about it…so long as you don’t think about it too much. The soundtrack also deserves a mention, it’s like Levine has raided my CD collection. There’s even G ‘n’ R’s seminal power ballad ‘Patience’ at one point. Some of the songs are specifically chosen for humorous purposes like ‘Hungry Heart’ by Springsteen, and how many zombie movies feature the haunting ‘Ain’t Missing You’ by John Waite (Perhaps the only man who can claim to have been a three-time one-hit wonder)? That song has an amusing payoff later in the film, too.

 

Although it’s a huge waste of John Malkovich, and tries not to alienate the “Twilight” crowd, this film is a cut above that crap, thanks mostly to a sense of humour and a killer soundtrack of 80s rock hits. It’s no “Romeo and Juliet”, but it sure as shit ain’t no Twi-hard, either. I may not have been a fan of “Shaun of the Dead”, and I may have tired of “The Walking Dead” somewhere during the second season, but this was one of the more pleasant surprises of 2013 and breathed new life in an undead subgenre.

 

Rating: B-