Film: Warm Bodies (15) - Why a Zombie Apocalypse might not be the end of the world

I really like films that have a good and unique idea. They might not necessarily be the 'greatest' films ever made but they have a place in my DVD collection. Examples of this include Vanilla Sky (Tom Cruise) and The Butterfly Effect (Ashton Kutcher) - probably not your cup of tea, or not likely to be on the 'greatest movies ever' lists, but amongst my favourites anyway.

A film at the other end of the scale would be the masterpiece 'Inception'. I'd like to think I'm right in thinking that this will eventually be seen as one of the best films ever made. This is a great example of a film that I could never have imagined before I saw it. That, to me, is great film making - something that is such a great idea and captivates you throughout, wondering what's coming next, and how it might pan out.

This leads me to a film that I saw last night - Warm Bodies. This stars Teresa Palmer, and Nicholas Hoult as a zombie, who still has the ability to think. Hoult also narrates throughout the early stages of the film, giving the zombie perspective of an apocalypse. This is something I have never seen before. He attempts to explain why zombies do what they do and the awkwardness that comes with certain things: conversations with his 'best friend', M/Marcus (Rob Corddrey) being nothing more than a grunt-fest.

I really liked this take on the zombie film genre. Every other film involving zombies are always from our (living humans) point of view - our thoughts, feelings, worries and hope for the future; if there will be one, that is. This is the first time I have seen things through their eyes.

When I entered the theatre to watch Warm Bodies, I wasn't sure what to expect. The first five minutes hooked me in, though. Hoult introduced himself (unsure of his 'living' name; only remembering that it started with an 'R') and goes onto explains what it's like to 'live' life as a zombie. He also talks of his desire to 'feel' again and, essentially, live again.

He meets Julie (Palmer), whilst attacking her and a group of friends in an abandoned drugstore. During the fight that ensues, he smears his own 'stink' over her head so that the other zombies can't sense her. After uttering some of the only words he knows, he leads Julie to his home - an abandoned aircraft (at an airport) - where he eventually gains her trust. A surprise to her and to us as the audience, as it would be the norm in any other film for zombie to devour human.

During the opening scene's narration, R has a vision of the airport, with living people walking around:

"It must have been so much better before. When everyone could express themselves and communicate their feelings and just enjoy each others company."

This is accompanied by virtually everybody in that vision on, or looking at, their phones/mobile devices. This is a great example of how things weren't that great before - and something that is extremely wrong with our society today. Even before any apocalypse that may happen in the future, normal, face-to-face conversation is... dead.

This goes nicely with a other examples of 'how things used to be'. Before their meeting, and during their time in the aeroplane, R (Hoult) plays records on his gramophone. This is something that Julie questions him over - why does he use a gramophone over, say, an ipod?

"Better sound... more alive" (whilst rotating his finger like a record).

There are several pieces of music throughout (as there is with every film!), that really encompass the mood of how a zombie might feel. R plays John Waite's 'Missing You' on his gramophone:

"And there's a storm raging,

Through my frozen heart tonight."

To add to this Julie shuffles through his record collection and finds a Bruce Springsteen classic, 'Hungry Heart':

"Everybody wants a place to rest
Everybody wants to have a home
Don't make no difference what nobody says
Ain't nobody like to be alone."

These are great song choices as not only do they convey how a zombie might feel, as well as a human, but they are classic songs - in an apocalyptic world simple pleasures such as records; old classics such as these; would be such a comforting thing to hear. Additionally, there is the use of a Polaroid camera later in the film - showing that old hardware produces and preserves the best lasting memories.

This film is without doubt a comedy. It also has a very serious message (with the examples above) of how we take the things we have for granted - ipods, digital cameras, mobile phones and even the internet. These things also get in the way of true, organic human interaction. It also shows that, as humans, we will always see the good in others - whether that is fellow humans... or even zombies.

The most important message that it has on offer is the importance, and power, of human connection. This is displayed throughout the film, with the use of music, interaction and belief that there is good in everyone. The most important example is that of human touch - holding hands. After seeing R and Julie holding hands, the zombies, led by M/Marcus, feel something. This is later confirmed when they see more hand holding. It gives them hope that they can change. This change then leads M/Marcus to dream. This in turn gives hope for the future - that there can be a different, brighter future for them. It makes them feel more alive.

Ultimately, I don't wish for a zombie apocalypse, but it would make us realise what is important in life. It would open our eyes to what simple things we have at our disposal to make us happy and to connect with others.

Although this film does have a similar message to that of other zombie films - hope for the future; never giving up - it's nice that instead of a cure/antidote to get things back to normal, it shows that simple human emotion is the best medicine.

Here is the first four minutes of the film, just as a taster for you to go and see it:

@jimmosangle