Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
With the Director of 17 Again and Charlie St. Cloud, as well as the screenwriter of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Burr Steers taking the reins, we admit to a bit of prejudgement with Zombie-Romance Mashup, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Based on a widely-read Graphic Novel, the Movie thankfully is a bloody good time.
The Movie begins with one of our heroes – Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley), as he is invited into town to assess a growing zombie problem. However, there is denial of an outbreak and essentially he is told that his expertise is not needed. They were wrong…. dead wrong. With a zombie in their presence, Darcy takes matters into his own hands.
We then are introduced to our real hero, Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James). Along with the rest of her sisters Jane (Bella Heathcote), Lydia (Ellie Bamber), Mary (Millie Brady) and Kitty (Suki Waterhouse), she has been trained in Chinese martial arts, a skill proving incredibly-useful in taking-out zombies. Moving forward, the sisters become acquainted with Darcy and a string of male suitors including a cousin of theirs, Pastor Collins (Matt Smith). They are thrust into the dangerous world of zombies and love, in which they are equipped to thrive.
The Movie works equally as both a Horror and a Romance, giving us substance above gore. The performances however are where lay the strength of the Film. Lily James is electric as Elizabeth, a true soldier who would never give up her sword over a ring, both fierce and enchanting. Everything about her performance is magnificent, pairing perfectly in an off-kilter romance with Sam Riley‘s Mr. Darcy. The latter is great as the looming zombie hunter, ready to defend London at any cost, even if it involves a tangled mess. Lastly, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies would have veered to unfortunate melodrama if it weren’t for the comedic genius of sensational Matt Smith.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a pleasant treat from start to finish. The only downside to the Film is that it could have veered a bit more to the zombie-intensive for the gore lovers? The Movie still stands as being wonderfully-enjoyable.
eOne Films release PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES in theatres on Friday, February 5, 2016.
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