{2jtab: Movie Review}

Warm Bodie - Blu-ray Review

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4 stars

In this increasingly creatively vacuous arena we call Hollywood it is something of a miracle when (A): someone can present a new take on something; and (B): it actually gets made. Credit goes to Summit then for this wonderfully fresh spin on a zombie story, based on the novel by Isaac Marion.

After seeing the mega-budget World War Z and coming away feeling like—apart from the scale—I’d seen every scene in that film done before, it was with trepidation I sat down with this one. What a pleasant surprise.

R, a zombie, narrates his mundane existence in a post-apocalyptic world where his days are spent meandering through an airport and occasionally searching for some human brain to eat and collecting things. R is a bit of an aberration, in that, when he eats some brains, he sees the life of the person he is consuming. His next meal, and young human male, shows him the love and beauty of a girl he ends up deciding to save from his horde. As he protects her, a change within him starts to manifest. While trying to get her home, his verbal skills start to return, and his body to reanimate. The two of them, against all logic, begin to have feelings for each other, and a revolution in the world begins from there.

While neither a fan of romantic comedies or repetitious zombie attacks, this one finds an emotional anchor within its framework that is rather original and very organic. It’s not played for a gimmick, the whole zombie loves girl thing, and while the absurdity of the situation is commented on, the sincerity of the situation and the players transcends any knowing winks to the audience to just be a really sweet, honest and hopeful story.

Production value is high, and for such a low key story the canvass on which it unfurls is impressively broad and believable. The effects and make up are as impressive as any zombie offering. Those expecting copious amounts of gore will be sorely disappointed, although there are those moments depicted once in a while.

The performances of the two leads are what this film’s premise anchors to and they are both very successful at it. Hoult’s R, a brain eating zombie, is almost instantly relatable and awkward and amusing, and it’s no mean feat for an actor to make a character like this likeable. Theresa Palmer’s Julie is also a pleasant character to follow, and despite some hefty leaps in logic asked for her turnaround from zombie killer to zombie lover, she makes it happen effortlessly.

Having not read the book, I can only praise the script for its sharp writing. There are certain rules of this world that seem rather inconsistent, such as zombies being slow one minute and running the next, depending on what the plot needs, but this is a minor quibble. Characterisations are solid, impressive, and make the world as immersive as it becomes.

In a world where almost everything we see is rehash of something, this film is a refreshing oddball entry into an increasingly oversaturated subgenre. Its compelling leads, sharp writing, and adept direction will leave you satisfied come its ending, which, considering the world it occurs in, is not small accomplishment. This is well worth your time.

{2jtab: Film Details}

Warm Bodies - Blu-ray ReviewMPAA Rating: PG-13 for zombie violence and some language.
Runtime:
98 mins.
Director
: Jonathan Levine
Writer: Jonathan Levine
Cast:
Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Analeigh Tipton
Genre
: Horror | Comedy | Romance
Tagline:
Cold body. Warm heart.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Don't be creepy. Don't be creepy. Don't be creepy."
Distributor:
Summit Entertainment
official Site:
warmbodiesmovie.com
Release Date: February 1, 2013
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
June 17, 2013

Synopsis: After a zombie becomes involved with the girlfriend of one of his victims, their romance sets in motion a sequence of events that might transform the entire lifeless world..

{2jtab: Blu-ray Review}

Warm Bodies - Blu-ray Review

Component Grades
Movie

Blu-ray Disc
4 stars

4 stars



Blu-ray Experience
4 stars

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Available on Blu-ray - June 17, 2013 Region B UK
Screen Formats: 1.78:1
Language:
English
Subtitles
: English
Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc
Region Encoding: B/2

The film has a very unnatural colour pallet by choice, but the AVC 1080p transfer is solid throughout. Blacks are rich, details equally so, with the impressive makeups ringing true; there are certain scenes and toward the end, where rich golden hues appear and impress emphatically. No signs of the usual complaints: edge enhancements, crush, banding, etc… it’s a solid offering. Sound, a DTS-HD 7.1 track, is low key because of the tone of the story, not its elements. The rear channels are seldom taxed, but it does happen from time to time. Dialogue is beautifully natural and clear. And there is certainly enough work done to immerse you in a bleak and abandoned world filled with flesh eating zombies. Extras included a commentary and several featurettes that give a solid overview of the production. A good package here.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • Feature-length commentary track with Director Jonathan Levine and Actors Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer

{2jtab: Trailer}

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