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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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