Forget everything you know about zombies. None of the normal Zombie rules apply in Warm Bodies, except that they still enjoy some tasty brains for a snack. Warm Bodies is about Zombies that drive, collect classic vinyl, talk,, and fall in love. Yes I said fall in love. Essentially Warm Bodies is a Romantic Comedy with Zombies thrown into the mix. A classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. Two star crossed lovers from opposite sides of the tracks. There is even a balcony scene where "R" comes to rescue his Juliet. It has the classic elements of a romantic comedy which makes it perfect for a date night. There is even the required makeover in it. It is sweet, romantic, and will make you smile.
Warm Bodies focuses on the daily life and routine of a zombie simply named R. We follow R as he shambles through a zombie infested airport that he calls home. He even has a friend called M that he attempts to have a conversation with daily. R has flashes of memories of when he was human, but he can't quite remember everything from his former life. He lives in an airplane and collects vinyl records that he enjoys listening to every night. Maybe this is why R is able to change the way he does? Doesn't music calm the savage beast?
When Julie and a group of friends break into the airport in order to find supplies, they are attacked by R and other Zombies. R falls madly in love with her from across the crowded room and saves her from being eaten by the other zombies. He takes her back to his airplane home, and they get to know each other. But Julie has to go home eventually and let her Father know that she is alive and well. She knows she can't take R with her because her family will kill R without asking questions. A bullet to the head. Love story over.
Even though Warm Bodies was fun to watch, I am not going to say I absolutely loved it. It definitely had it's flaws. It was pretty silly and you really have to tell your brain not to over analyze it while watching it. And yes there are some of the typical Zombie movie metaphors in it. One scene not so subtly reminds us that we act like zombies already on a daily basis. How many of us walk around with our faces buried in our cell phones? Not noticing the world around us? Only communicating through texts and tweets?
Warm Bodies even adds on to the Zombie mythology by attempting to explain why Zombies love to eat brains so much. Return of the Living Dead gave us a little bit of an explanation from the half Zombie Lady on the table...When Ernie asks "Eating brains, how does that make you feel?" "She replies it makes the pain go away" Warm Bodies explains why it makes the pain go away because it also makes Zombies feel more alive. This was one of my favourite parts of the movie.
If you are a hard core purist when it comes to Horror or Zombie movies then this is not the film for you. There is hardly any gore or even scary parts to be found here. I knew it was going to be a light comedy going in so I took one of my non- horror friends to see it and we laughed and had a good time the whole movie. The whole story line is pretty much ridiculous but that is what made it so funny. I mean really...a zombie driving a car? a zombie collecting Vinyl? Kissing a Zombie after he just had brains for breakfast? Pretty ridiculous actually. If you don't take it so seriously and you just might enjoy it. But it isn't Twilight either. Recently, I keep seeing this comparison all over the internet. Which just confirms my suspicion that all the people that don't like this movie, haven't even seen it yet! I suggest you go and see the movie and form your own opinion on it. No Warm Bodies is not going to ruin the Zombie genre any more than Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, or Deadheads did. It is just another extension to a very popular genre...the Zom-Com! If you enjoy a light comedy filled with a lot of laughs then enjoy!
