An enjoyable experience that could have been marketed differently

Rating: 8/10 (5 October 2013)

I am so glad I decided to give this a try.
I saw the trailer for this film in early spring and it didn't look promising. I checked it out on IMDb as well but I have to say that taglines like "There's nothing hotter than a girl with brains" and "Dead sexy" aren't exactly promising (nor are they a good fit for this kind of plot). Well, it wouldn't be the first film that was mismarketed. That could explain the somewhat lower than expected ratings, too.
I was positively surprised from the beginning. The atmosphere was completely different from what the trailer let on and the film was so much better for it. While the story might be old, the setting (and execution) made it refreshingly original. There aren't many positive films about zombies and the only ones I've seen so far are the "Shaun of the Dead" type black comedies. I appreciated how the film portrayed hope and hopefulness for a better outcome.
I like happy endings if they work, because tragedy and drama for the sake of it is just melodramatic. I was left with feeling good and optimistic (despite all the brains eaten at the beginning). I enjoyed the pace. The build of the relationship between the two protagonists was enjoyable and realistic (except for R eating Perry). It took a leap, though, to accept how easily Julie discarded her previous relationship and the way it had ended. Then again, I've never experienced living in a world where death seems imminent. Perhaps it makes one more agreeable.
There were a few clichés, like the trigger-happy father, but not too bothersome.