Back in 2013, a little movie arrived that reaffirmed our faith in the ole stalwart, love. Now, Warm Bodies is back for a 10-year anniversary, 4K SteelBook upgrade that not only delivers all the bells and whistles but gifts us a zombie love story illustrating how strong the power of love is.
The film is a studio coined, “zom-rom-com”—which is beyond aptly described from writer/director Jonathan Levine (Long Shot) has arrived on 4K SteelBook for a glorious upgrade and celebration of its movie magic.
Warm Bodies stars Mad Max: Fury Road breakout Nicholas Hoult as our down on his love luck zombie, R, and Theresa Palmer (of I Am Number Four fame) as Julie—the most unpredictable of love scenarios puts it mildly.
The relationship between these two might, just might, hold the balance of the future of the planet in its hands.
If the film gives off vibes of Shakespear’s Romeo & Juliet, you are not far off. The Levine directed thrill and romance ride also stars Dave Franco, Rob Corddry and the king of meta… John Malkovich.
The storyline seems basic, but it is anything but—especially given today’s divisive landscape—a beautiful teen girl and a sensitive undead slacker are drawn to one another. It is an act that will set off a string of events that might even end this post-apocalyptic world.
In Warm Bodies, let’s be clear—zombies are sexy! Yes, you read that correctly. The love story that is unlike anything you have ever seen is an absolute delight and now that it is arriving on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download, the entire world can share in the love story between Nicholas Hoult’s zombie and Teresa Palmer’s human who has survived the apocalypse.
In one of the more original film premises, that we’ve seen in some time, Warm Bodies tells the tale of Hoult’s R. He narrates the film from its opening moments and immediately captures its spirit. This is a comedy, while the horror is still real in that although he may be of the kinder, gentler version… zombies still are possessed by one thing: Eating brains!
Palmer lives in a walled city that is the last stand of humans against the invading zombies. Her father (played expertly by the always awesome John Malkovich) is the military leader who has ensured the safety and continuation of civilization. When she heads out on a supply securing mission outside the border, she encounters R and a “gang” of zombies who themselves have gone out looking for food. After devouring her boyfriend, R rescues Palmer’s Julie and takes her back to his abandoned airport home.
Immediately it is easy to see that this film is chock full of charm, first teased in the Warm Bodies trailer. Palmer and Hoult’s chemistry is electric and palpable and is largely why the movie triumphs. Writer-director Jonathan Levine (the story is based on a novel by Isaac Marion) has a firm command over his story and there are no letdowns throughout the entire viewing experience.
After Levine’s stellar work making kicking cancer’s butt funny, romantic, and touching in 50/50 — the filmmaker has done it again by tackling a scary subject and making it… well, human.
A film like this should be owned and purchased and live in your library on home video as it is one that you can easily witness again and again. Audiences will also want to share the most original of concepts with friends. It is one of the movies you will just want to have on hand so when a “you’ve haven’t seen Warm Bodies” comment comes up, it’s fresh and ready to fire in the DVD or Blu-ray players.
The extras abound and each is more entertaining than the last. And that is not surprising given the thought and careful touch filmmakers had putting together the Warm Bodies movie itself.
The Boy Meets World, ER, hybrid featurette captures the tone of the film and takes you inside the movie magic that made it happen. The R&J Featurette shows how the creative team behind the film was inspired by Romeo and Juliet and their iconic star-crossed lovers’ story that was astoundingly brought to life using zombies and humans!
And one of our absolute favorite features on the Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack is Whimsical Sweetness: Teresa Palmer’s Warm Bodies Home Movies. It is rare on a home video package that the star gives such a personal and insightful look at the journey from script page to silver screen, and now home video.
Corddry (Tub Time Machine)also stars in the film and shows off some serious acting chops. But most of us know him as the comedian who is at the top of his game right now. His Zombie Acting Tips with Rob Corddry featurette proves that you can get a comic to do drama, but at its heart… he will always be “killer” with comedy. And even the film’s gag reel is as original as they come. Heck the title alone is priceless: Shrug and Groan Gag Reel. Enough said!
The full Blu-ray Steelbook Extras include the following and achieve greatness with each passing second.
- Boy Meets, ER, Doesn’t Eat Girl
- R&J
- A Little Less Dead
- Extreme Zombie Makeover!
- A Wreck in Progress
- Bustin Caps
- Beware the Boneys
- Whimsical Sweetness: Teresa Palmer’s Warm Bodies Home Movies
- Zombie Acting Tips with Rob Corddry
- Audio commentary arrives from writer Levine, Hoult, and Palmer,
- Deleted Scenes
- Shrug & Groan Gag Reel
- Theatrical Trailer
Grade: A