Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies, is a surprisingly delightful comedy, with a good story line, and well though out jokes. In an age where vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies are a big craze, it is nice to see an orginal take on zombies, and even nicer to see a movie get it so right.

Warm Bodies, directed by Jonathan Levine, is the story of an unlikely romance between zombie R, and human Julie. Nicholas Hoult, does a great job of portraying R, and despite the lack of dialogue, he is still able to make the audience connect with his character. Teressa Palmer also does a good job, playing the guarded Julie, a human who fears zombies, but soon realises that there is more to them, then she has been led to believe.

At first glance, the resemblance between Julie, and Bella from the Twilight series is striking, in fact, Julie, looks like a blonde version of Bella, but that is where the similarities end. What Twilight lacks in an engaging story line, Warm Bodies makes up for. In fact, the muttered conversations of the zombies, are far more interesting than some of the lines from the vampire movies. Warm Bodies, has played with what it means to be a zombie, and R, does not try to hide that he is one.

It is great to see, R’s development throughout the film. How he slowly, gets back his humanity, becomes more human.

The apocalyptic world has been created perfectly. The zombies, look real, but not exaggerated, and the ‘bonies’, zombies who are not conflicted about killing humans, are hauntingly frightening. Credit, should be taken, for the fantastic makeup job, allowing the character, although dead, to come to life.

Warm Bodies is a movie I strongly recommend. It has a strong storyline, believable characters, and engages the audience from start to finish. A deserving 8/10.

Paranorman

With the school holidays at an end, families flocked to the cinemas to keep their kids entertained. A movie that must be added to the ‘to see list’ is Paranorman.

Paranorman tells the story of eleven year old Norman, who is a little strange… a little different, he sees ghosts. Norman’s supernatural ability has had the tendency to get him in trouble, especially with his dad. Norman after all, speaks to his grandmother… his dead grandmother. Norman’s ability however, soon becomes the only hope for the small town he lives in, doomed by an ancient witches curse.

Paranorman is a witty movie, that has a somewhat raw and gritty aspect to it. Despite the fact that there is a darker side to this film, there are also some hilarious moments, most of them, thanks to Norman’s new friend Neil.

Neil is to Paranorman what Donkey is to Shrek, Dory to Finding Nemo. He may be short, fat and dorky, but he movie wouldn’t be the same without him.

Sure to be a crowd favourite with the kids, there are also some moments that the parents will enjoy.

The animation in the movie is top-notch. Each character is weirdly shaped and their personalities unique.

Whether you want a good laugh, or just want to see another well made animation, Paranorman is for you. A deserving 8/10.