Warm Bodies: a grizzly but likeable treat

Warm Bodies

Director: Jonathan Levine

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich

****

This unusual romantic comedy focuses on the love between the zombie R (Nicholas Hoult) and the human Julie (Teresa Palmer) after a zombie apocalypse.

While fully embracing the gory world of zombie movies, the writer and director Jonathan Levine's script possesses an effective, charming wit that makes the brain eating forgivable.

Inserting a knowing Romeo and Juliet pastiche is also a strongpoint, making for a romantic comedy that is never allowed to get too saccharine or unpleasant. Hoult in particular proves a solid and intelligent lead.

A mixture of offbeat comedies such as Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead, the film mixes a unique style with a talented young cast to create a grizzly but likeable treat.