Warm Bodies - B

Rated PG-13, 97 minutes

Charming "Warm Bodies" provides a new twist on zombie genre

Zombies admittedly aren't for everyone, but the new dramedy "Warm Bodies" provides a charming new twist on the genre that could bring zombies to a wider audience. Call it a human-zombie romantic comedy infused with some "Walking Dead," though not near as intense as that TV show. After a zombie epidemic, a zombie named R (the slightly creepy Nicholas Hoult from "About A Boy," who has aged nicely since that film) encounters a human survivor named Julie (Teresa Palmer), and rescues her from a zombie attack. As a result, as the two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human and sets off an exciting, romantic, and often comical chain of events that could change everyone's world. Directed and written by Jonathan Levine ("50/50"), "Warm Bodies" is a sharp, often witty take on the whole zombie genre, less intense and more fun; based loosely on the novel of the same name by Isaac Marion, its predictable and thin premise has some weak moments particularly in its slower mid-section, but it should please those fans and non-fans of the zombie genre. The adaptation of Marion's novel makes some considerable changes and utilizes extensive voice-over early on, which is a tad annoying but still works considering the main character is undead. The most charming part is Hoult and Palmer's warm chemistry, and the unique approach taken to a zombie falling in love (his motto of "try not to be too creepy" could apply to humans as well). Rob Corddry, Dave Franco (still looking alot like his older brother James), Analeigh Tipton, and in a small role, John Malkovich, all provide key support for the newly found human-zombie love. "Warm Bodies," aside from Oscar holdovers, is one of the better new original films of 2013. A must-see for lovers of the genre and acceptable for non-fans, it has a spattering of intense moments but otherwise wouldn't be classified as a horror film, but a romantic comedy with a few zombies.

Wes's Grade: B