I <3 this movie

Rating: 8/10 (3 February 2013)

Adapting a popular novel to film is always a very challenging thing. You have to try and please the fan base as well as making it accessible enough so that people can find a way to relate to it. It's even trickier when that source material is so uniquely weird. It's a hard thing to pull off such a successful adaptation and that is the reason why Warm Bodies is so damn impressive. Centering around a zombie who calls himself R played by the adorable Nicholas Hoult who while on a hunting spree with his fellow undead finds himself falling in love with Julie played by the really impressive Teresa Palmer, one of my new favorites. There's a little more to it than that but it's hard to explain without it sounding a little too bizarre. I myself have read the book and was a big fan of it and although the film differentiates from the source material it really nails the feel and ultimate message of it all while remaining true to it and just completely committing itself to it's cooky concept. In some instances it even enhances it with subtext of about adolescence, human connection and society in general. It also helps that strong performances populate the film throughout most notably by the 2 leads and Rob Corrdry as Marcus R's best friend. The film is funny, a little gross, a little scary and just really endearing. It's a sweet but dark valentine for people who want there rom coms a little edgy. Zombie fans may be a little disappointed at the films lack of actual horror but if their open will find an exciting new angle to revisit the now clichéd material. I've heard a lot of people comparing this film to Twilight and the truth is although I'm a fan of that series this is far more complex, clever and not as mushy. Warm Bodies is a film that should be celebrated as it takes the chance to break new ground and for that alone in a slew of unnecessary remakes and sequels that is a truly special thing. 4/5