As we stated when the undead love story hit theaters in our Warm Bodies review, zombies are sexy! Yes, you read that correctly. The love story that is unlike anything you have ever seen is an absolute delight and now that it is arriving on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download, the entire world can share in the love story between Nicholas Hoult’s zombie and Teresa Palmer’s human who has survived the apocalypse.
In one of the more original film premises we’ve seen in some time, Warm Bodies tells the tale of Hoult’s R. He narrates the film from its opening moments and immediately captures its spirit. This is a comedy, while the horror is still real in that although he may be of the kinder, gentler version… zombies still are possessed by one thing: Eating brains!
Palmer lives in a walled city that is the last stand of humans against the invading zombies. Her father (played expertly by the always awesome John Malkovich) is the military leader who has ensured the safety and continuation of civilization. When she heads out on a supply securing mission outside the border, she encounters R and a “gang” of zombies who themselves have gone out looking for food. After devouring her boyfriend, R rescues Palmer’s Julie and takes her back to his abandoned airport home.
Immediately it is easy to see that this film is chock full of charm, first teased in the Warm Bodies trailer. Palmer and Hoult’s chemistry is electric and palpable and is largely why the movie triumphs. Writer-director Jonathan Levine (the story is based on a novel by Isaac Marion) has a firm command over his story and there are no letdowns throughout the entire viewing experience.
After Levine’s stellar work making kicking cancer’s butt funny, romantic and touching in 50/50 -- the filmmaker has done it again by tackling a scary subject and making it… well, human.
A film like this should be owned on home video as it is one that you can easily witness again and again. Audiences will also want to share the most original of concepts with friends. It is one of the movies you will just want to have on hand so when a “you’ve haven’t seen Warm Bodies” comment comes up, it’s fresh and ready to fire in the DVD or Blu-Ray players.
The extras abound and each is more entertaining than the last. And that is not surprising given the thought and careful touch filmmakers had putting together the Warm Bodies movie itself.
The Boy Meets, ER, Doesn’t Eat Girl featurette captures the tone of the film and takes you inside the movie magic that made it happen. The R&J Featurette shows how the creative team behind the film was inspired by Romeo and Juliet and their iconic star-crossed lovers' story that was astoundingly brought to life using zombies and humans!
And one of our absolute favorite features on the Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack is Whimsical Sweetness: Teresa Palmer’s Warm Bodies Home Movies. It is rare on a home video package that the star gives such a personal and insightful look at the journey from script page to silver screen, and now home video.
Rob Corddry also stars in the film and shows off some serious acting chops. But, most of us know him as the comedian who is at the top of his game right now. His Zombie Acting Tips with Rob Corddry featurette proves that you can get a comic to do drama, but at its heart… he will always be “killer” with comedy. And even the film’s gag reel is as original as they come. Heck the title alone is priceless: Shrug and Groan Gag Reel. Enough said!
