the strangest adaptation of Romeo & Juliet I've ever seen - fun zombie romance!

Rating: 7/10 (21 February 2013)

As loose Shakespeare adaptations go, this could be the most unusual; zombies and humans as opposed to the montagues and the capulets. This was another success for Nicholas Hoult, who is "so hot right now," and he was endearing, engaging and heart-warming in this as the zombie with a soul who falls in love with the girlfriend of the guy's brains he just ate, and got to know her through the guy's memories. She lives in the post-zombie apocalypse world, and her father is the general/leader of the army who is protecting humanity and obliterating the zombies outside of the city.
R (Hoult) is the narrator of the film, with his inner thoughts that are still quite human. As he gets to know Julie, form a bond, he becomes more human again. Yes it's predictable, and rather fairy-tale-esque, a morality tale, but that doesn't detract from it's cute, romantic, funny and pleasing storytelling. It's definitely a feel good film, with a lot of heart. R reminisces about a time when people were together and connected, before they were zombies, and you see a flashback to people isolated all on their phones not communicating at all... poignant, perhaps suggesting that in the digital age when we are all connected but insular we are like zombies walking around in our own little earphoned worlds.
Really enjoyed this, great special effects, stunts and make up and the CGI of the 'bonies' - the too-far-gone zombies who have given up the last of their humanity - was pretty good. John Malkovich in an unusual role of him, was good of course, and Teresa Palmer was also convincing and a sympathetic character as Julie. The viewer immediately is drawn to the gentle humour of R and he's just so adorable! Analeigh Tipton, Rob Corddry and Dave Franco were also good... Rob Corddry very good, actually, as the M the best zombie friend of R. Cory Hardrict - Kevin, one of the soldiers - was rather yummy! I recommend this, it's good clean fun; an improbable love story where true love conquers all, including being a corpse. A good zombie film for a girls night in or a romantic evening!