Warm Bodies

Over the decades, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has been adapted for numerous genres. Based on Isaac Marion's popular novel, screenwriter-director Jonathan Levine's Warm Bodies transposes the tortured love story into the realm of the undead. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans dwell in heavily-guarded urban enclaves, the tale is narrated by R (Nicholas Hoult), a twentysomething zombie who shuffles aimlessly around an abandoned airport, adroitly avoiding voracious, decaying, skeletal zombies known as Boneys. One day, R and grunt-buddy M (Rob Corddry)—along with fellow corpses—encounter a group of humans, including Julie (Teresa Palmer) and her boyfriend, Perry (Dave Franco), who are scavenging pharmaceutical supplies. As R munches on Perry's brain, gaining flashback access to his memories, he finds himself irresistibly attracted to Julie, saving her from his flesh-eating cohorts and hiding her in the abandoned plane he calls home. Despite Julie's initial mistrust, R continues to gently court her, giving her canned food and beer while playing selections from his collection of vintage vinyl. After Julie manages to escape and return to the fortified, walled-off city where her ruthless father, General Grigio (John Malkovich), heads the zombie-hunting militia, she finds that she misses R. Meanwhile, smitten R follows Julie, sneaking inside the wall and appearing below her balcony. Combining humor and heart, this strangely sentimental paranormal rom-com about forbidden love is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by screenwriter-director Jonathan Levine and costars Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer, a “Boy Meets, Er, Doesn't Eat Girl” making-of featurette (10 min.), the production featurettes “R&J” on the story (17 min.), “A Little Less Dead” on casting (17 min.), “A Wreck in Progress” on location (15 min.), the behind-the-scenes “Whimsical Sweetness: Home Movies” (12 min.), “Extreme Zombie Makeover” (10 min.), “Bustin' Caps” (10 min.), and “Beware the Boneys” (7 min.), deleted scenes (11 min.), “Zombie Acting Tips with Rob Corddry” (5 min.), a gag reel (5 min.), trailers, and bonus digital and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an engaging film.] (S. Granger)