I know what’s running through your mind. It’s probably the same confusion that everyone of my friends have voiced when I recommended Warm Bodies as a date film. “A zombie romantic comedy? He eats her boyfriend’s brains and falls in love with her? This is supposed to be sweet? Why would I watch a movie like that?” I’m here to tell you that you can safely lay those worries aside. Warm Bodies is not gory, nor scary, but a sweet riff on zombie films done Romeo and Juliet style that both guys are gals will be sure to enjoy.
R (Nicholas Hoult) spends his days living in a airplane next to a terminal that is overrun with undead walkers just like him. As he slowly shifts step by step through the lackadaisical afternoons, he habitually waxes philosophically about the lifeless world around him. “What’s the purpose of life,” he ponders, “Why do I exist? Why does no one pay attention to one another? Do I have to eat others to survive? Why do I walk so slow? Where is the love?” Neither he nor his best friend, M (Rob Corddry) have the answers. They just grunt at each other to pass the time.
Meanwhile, Julie (Teresa Palmer) is attempting to survive the apocalypse and persuade her hard-nosed father (John Malckovich) that her boyfriend, Perry(Dave Franco) is a good catch. She also spends her days wondering how humanity is to survive in a world where people place more priority on self-security than on loving others. One day she goes out scavenging ith for supplies and runs into a pack of zombies. The rest of her friends are eaten, but Julie is saved and brought home to safety by R. The two soon begin to fall for each other, but R has a secret. He ate Perry’s brains. How can R keep Julie’s love when he’s done such a horrible thing?
What Warm Bodies excels in most of all is its writing. It’s a smart romantic comedy that takes inspiration from the Bard’s most famous love story, and spins it in its own direction. The film is clever; it explores how rampant commercialization and high-end technology has lead to the spiritual death of our society, and how love is the only “cure” that will awaken us from our zombie like state. And it does all of this with lovable characters, thrilling action scenes, and impressive zombie makeup!
I came out of the theatre feeling refreshed. Hollywood needs more films like these. It’s overall good nature shines bright, and it’s hilarious to boot. Guys, this is one date flick you will be able to enjoy. Girls, go crazy; you’ve got a love story here that packs a wallop. And it’s better than Twilight. Sorry vampires, zombies rule!

