Movie Rant: Warm Bodies

 Warm Bodies had my attention from the first time I saw the trailer that was released in the later half of 2012, it looked like it had potential to take a zombie film and make something different about it and be successful at it as well, which was the most appealing part. (Nicholas Hoult being the main character may have also played a big part in it for me)

The film came out in February 2013 and I missed the opportunity to see it, as I was under the impression that it would get more hype than it did, and I would not miss the opportunity to go and see in the cinema.

Very few films can make a trailer that gets me so excited about seeing it, without knowing much about it, or wanting to even know much more than the trailer gives away. I almost become completely biased unless the film is obviously a flop and breaks my heart in disappointment, it really does become a tragic love story. I feel I am a picky critic with how a trailer must be made for a film, being a fan of the Kermode and Mayo film review show.

I was finally able to borrow the film and watch it for myself, I was worried it would disappoint me, since I had heard negative feedback about the film and one or two positive opinions. Kermode didn't appear to be a fan of the film and my habit of disregarding a film based on his decision had kicked in. (Sometimes I watch something before listening to the podcast to avoid being dissuaded by this, I think only one film I've had a disagreement about, but I believe I had a biased opinion so it didn't count)

The film starts off the same as the trailer clip, some parts taken out so it's completely entertaining for the viewers, in order to avoid plot spoilers and to be able to not give it all away immediately, I love that in a trailer as it leaves you curious enough to watch it, although two things were a give away; the first being that the 'boney' characters would obviously be a problem later on, and it was going to be a love story, whether it ended in a Joss Whedon fashion or not, was to be decided only by watching it.

I took the film reasonably seriously, but I found myself becoming more laid back and being less analytical about it, the film had some amusing moments about it, and I'm sure on second viewing I would laugh more at the jokes.

I don't think Warm Bodies was meant to be taken seriously, but it needed to be able to have enough of the serious in it initially to grab interest and to be taken for how it wants to be, it then throws in little bits of humour here and then, and I feel the writing was superb as well, I did have subtitles turned on though, as I didn't want to miss any words being groaned, I did try without subtitles for a few minutes.

Warm Bodies isn't a film that you question why and how things happen in it, it's a fictional story based on zombies and if zombies existed then fair enough, the film would then become silly, but [SPOILER ALERT] since there's nothing saying what would cure a zombie in cold hard facts, then why not let yourself believe that love would cure the infection? [SPOILER END]


I believe Warm Bodies is a chick flick for the lady geeks, that was how it came across to me and I dislike almost all chick flick movies, with the odd exception. I wanted the story to end how it was heading towards, but I was still just not certain about it.

I only have two and a half niggles with the film and they are: [SPOILER ALERT]

1. The zombie, 'M' was able to suddenly pick up words much quicker than 'R' was able to achieve, I couldn't let this slide, since the beginning of the film started off slow and basic, then suddenly wham! He can speak with minimal groaning and effort, barely any stutter at all.

2. For one of the scenes, R announces that zombies cannot have dreams and it's obvious that he is entering a subconscious state. In the 'dream' it's even stated that zombies can't dream. I feel that the line wasn't necessary because it was so damn obvious.

2.5. The film felt like it had to jump a step, the zombies were suddenly able to pick up on things better, but granted they weren't talking which gives the impression that something had clicked in their brains that put them at R's state of conscious.[SPOILER END]

I think they needed one, maybe two more scenes about M in order to explain how he changed so quickly, just by seeing R hold hands and then by seeing pictures in the airport that he had been living in for several years, that may just be with my critic mind thinking to much though.

Anyway, I do recommend watching Warm Bodies and I feel it's a film to be taken with a mildly seriously attitude, but not to be taken without any at all, Jonathon Levine has obviously tried to get the right balance and appeal based on the book, and I think he pulled it off well.

The cast was a brilliant choice and everyone fitting in really well, I believe Nicholas Hoult will be seen much more on the big screen in future, he has the right presence, good looking, talented and he's young.

As for Teresa Palmer, I personally haven't seen anything else with her in and she's started to appear in more big screen movies, but I think she has the potential and talent to get out there as well.

I believe John Malkovich and Dave Franco had the right amount of screen time to not steal the light away from these two new actors either, which heightened the dependence on them pulling the film off even better.

At the end of the day, I prefer this over Twilight for a better love story.