“What am I doing with my life? I’m so pale– I should get out more. I should eat better. My posture is terrible. I should stand up straight. People would respect me if I stood up straighter. I just want to connect. Why cant I connect with people? Oh, right– because I’m dead.”
This, along with a young actor-turned-zombie (Nicholas Hoult) dragging his way along an airport terminal, is the beginning scene of the movie Warm Bodies (PG-13). It’s the same played-out idea of a zombie apocalypse turning people into the walking dead– but with a twist.
In this movie, there are three types of creatures:
Humans, who hide from and despise all forms of zombies because they are afraid of having their brains eaten and turned into zombies themselves.
Zombies, who drag themselves around aimlessly and are virtually harmless– until they get hungry. They eat people, including human brains, and by doing this they can ‘see’ someone’s memories. Basically, they can pretend to be that person for a matter of minutes (This is an idea I found particularly creative– I’ve never seen it in other zombie movies).
“Bonies”, which are essentially lifeless skeletons. They are a downgrade from a zombie, and are out to destroy all humans (and zombies).
Warm Bodies is narrated from the point of view of R, the main character (who is a teenage zombie). On the outside, he is an emotionless creature with a vocabulary consisting of grunts and the occasional word. Inside his head, he is a typical teenager– full of emotion, confliction, and most importantly, love.
R, who is supposed to be dead, falls in love with a human girl, Julie. His love for her turns him (slowly, but surely) back from a zombie to a human; however, this is doesn’t happen without conflict. Juliet’s father despises zombies and will do anything to keep them apart.
The concept of point-of-view is very important throughout the movie. Through the usage of it, the audience is able to understand R’s thoughts and emotions, and ultimately empathize with him. Basically, this means he is able to effectively communicate ideas that he can’t through speech. He discusses his internal conflicts through his thoughts, which allows the audience to understand how he feels.
Overall, Warm Bodies explores the idea of love being an all-powerful emotion that can conquer, and fix, anything. As the zombies begin to “feel”, they are able to work together to fight and protect. R and Juliet work together to save what is left of the human world– and build up their relationship along the way.
The plot often alludes to the story of Romeo and Juliet. It is obvious in the names– the boy’s name is R, and the girl’s is Julie. R’s best friend (who is also a zombie) is named M (like Mercutio). There is also a balcony scene, where R tries to see Julie and win her heart against all odds. The connections between the two stories are clear.
This is a romantic comedy that should really be seen with a significant other or loved one. Aside from the poor animation of the Bonies that even my thirteen-year-old brother wouldn’t be afraid of and a few overly corny jokes here and there, I highly recommend seeing Warm Bodies. It takes the idea of a zombie in a new (and heartwarming) direction.
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