Film Review: Zombie Flick ‘Warm Bodies’ Resurrects the Undead

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CHICAGO – For the one millionth time in movie history, zombies walk among us in “Warm Bodies.” But this isn’t an ordinary entry in the undead genre, this has a load of romance, symbolism and John Malkovich. “It” couple Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer give a whole new meaning to going steady.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

This is written and directed by the odd Jonathan Levine (“50/50”), who never met a movie theme he can’t deconstruct. “Warm Bodies” is a trenchant allegory in the mold of George Romero – using the undead as symbol for modern humanity – and doesn’t disappoint in showing the humorous and warm fuzzy side of the slow moving undead. With some sly winking at the camera, Levine formulates a Valentine’s Day treat which should be the go-to movie for the big night, for it is both romantic and unromantic, which pretty much defines the expectations for V-Day. What is a relationship but a slow moving body that keeps moving despite being shot in the heart with the bullets of reality?

The narrator is a zombie nicknamed “R” (Nicholas Hoult), who explains the post-apocalyptic circumstance of his universe. Disease has spread through humans, converting a large percentage of the population into the undead, zombies who roam looking for brains to devour. R’s “friend” is “M” (Rob Coddry), and their unspoken connection is a precursor to the next chapter. It involves the normal humans, walled-off in a city to protect themselves from the plague of the undead.

It is a military city/state ruled by Grigio (John Malkovich), whose daughter Julie (Teresa Palmer) enjoys straying outside the wall. She and her boyfriend Perry (David Franco) encounter some zombies while on the outside, and in the attack R eats Perry’s brains. This gives him the memories of the fallen, and it includes the love for Julie. When that connection is made, R forces Julie to his apartment, the inside of an abandoned jetliner. This puts into motion a healing process that might change things, but Grigio is on the trail to rescue his daughter. It becomes a race against love and a revived heart.

“Warm Bodies” opens everywhere February 1st. Featuring Nicholas Hoult. Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Rob Corddry, Analeigh Tipton and Dave Franco. Written and directed by Jonathan Levine. Rated “PG-13”

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Warm Bodies”

Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer
Feed Dating?: R (Nicholas Hoult) and Julie (Teresa Palmer) in “Warm Bodies”
Photo credit: Summit Entertainment

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Warm Bodies”

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