Saturday, November 1, 2014

Top 5: Reasons Why You Should Give Warm Bodies a Chance


I'm baaaaack...
So after becoming a mom in November 2012, I kind of fell off the internet zombie map, but I've still lived and breathed zombies ever since. Now I'm going to get back to putting my undead thoughts online.
I've had this post written ever since I saw Warm Bodies back when my sons were tiny newborns. We saw the flick at a "moms screening" in 2013, where you can let your newborn ball of poop and tears wail without fear of bothering other movie goers. I've watched the movie a few times since, and my opinions are only reinforced.

1. Teenagers being teenagers without being annoying
With the recent, seemingly endless, stream of teen paranormal romance, you're probably sick to death of self destructive "love", irresponsible romanticizing of careless sex, and watered-down horror. I sure am. But I will make the argument that Warm Bodies presents a realistic and refreshing view of teen love. First of all, there is virtually no sex. There's sexual attraction, sure, but given the complicating factors (ie: him being dead) and the danger of the world, there's no time to get down, and the writers honor that reality. Additionally, there is no blind following of sexual/romantic impulse. The characters are constantly self doubting, cautious, uncomfortable, and skeptical. In my experience working with teenagers, to me that's way closer to how teenagers should and do behave.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/film/reviews/article3681581.ece
2. It's witty
The writing is really one of the primary strengths of this movie. It's dry as a corpse at times, but in that is so much comedy. The internal monologue of the male protagonist is sharp and elicits many a chuckle.
http://memeguy.com/photos/images/after-watching-warm-bodies-and-wanting-to-hate-it-13147.jpg

3. The side characters
Much like in the obvious source material (ie: Romeo and Juliet), the side characters are really the reason to watch. Rob Corddry plays the lovable and funny best friend zombie and brings to it all of his usual wit and comic timing. Analeigh Tipton is his female, non-flesh eating counterpart. You may, if your lame like me, recognize that name from Top Model a few years back. Not only is she insanely pretty, she's also got some excellent comic timing and is really a master at communicating through her facial expressions.
http://sarahtherebel.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/warm_bodies_2_20130106_1807987830.jpg
4. Bringing something new to the genre
You're probably not super hot on the whole zombies becoming human again thing or the whole zombies talking thing. Neither am I. I will say that that aspect of the movie won me over more than I thought it would. But the coolest new thing you'll see here is something I thought was very interesting and original. When the zombies eat the brain, they're flooded with the memories of the person they're chowing down on. Kind of interesting.
http://i.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rob-corddry.gif
5. Creating Fear
Although this probably bills as a romantic comedy, there are some truly eerie and frightening moments throughout. The art direction absolutely helps with that--everything has that grim grayness you traditionally associate with the post-apocalyptic genre. And unlike other teen genre movies, the death is not skimped on. People die. Plenty of them.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWaoJLZZFvUca1bKH7H4B7w24wSrdfPOkTt47WGtYOhc5liDL0VFMlH9vtTKo8HKVz2EEAEfXZ72CQEucpIobMVb7pi_ktd1TUfk2nqSdnXIlLCN93GoZJ9P0JPUbdJp4GDRX2ThrGORu/s1600/bonie.png

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