​FILMS

pride and prejudice and zombies

You'll feel like a zombie after seeing this!

2016 review number 35:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: (Action/Horror/Romance): 38 out of 100: A mashup of Pride and Prejudice and zombie movies! Who would have thought that could happen? Sounds exciting on paper and this might have been the case with the 2009 novel on which this movie has been based. However, this isn't a solid interpretation of a mashup...it's mashed up and indigestible! Neither the romantic aficionados nor the horror buffs will be pleased with the outcome. The romance depicted is insipid while the horror aspects provide few scares. 

 

The five Bennet sisters, Elizabeth (Lily James), Jane (Bella Heathcote), Kitty (Suki Waterhouse), Lydia (Ellie Bamber), and Mary (Millie Brady), are zombie warriors. 19th century England has been overrun by zombies and their skills are needed to defend themselves and their loved ones including their mother (Sally Phillips) and father (Charles Dance). Mrs Bennet wants her daughters to marry wealthy suitors. One of these eligible men is Mr. Bingley (Douglas Booth). Elizabeth does not want a husband but becomes embroiled in a love triangle with a soldier named Mr. Wickham (Jack Huston) and zombie hunter, Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley). While Elizabeth is discovering her true feelings, she must battle the zombies who are decimating her town.

 

This is definitely not the Pride and Prejudice I have read and seen. The beautiful romantic themes have been replaced by dialogue that is verbose and a Mr. Darcy who is annoying. Sam Riley's portrayal of this beloved literary character is grating on the nerves with his hoarse voice and lack of charm. One wonders what Elizabeth sees in him. Lily James is charming and ravishing as Elizabeth, proving that she is ideal in period costume following last year's Cinderella. Lena Headey (notorious zombie killer, Lady Catherine) has done better things before. 

 

Apart from the disappointing handling of the romance, the horror scenes fail to scare. I am partial to zombie films but when they misfire, they're an exercise in futility. It also helps when there's a few laughs along the way concerning the zombies pursuing their prey, but this version is far too serious for its own good. There's no shock tactics or original ideas in the zombie aspect of the story.

 

The costumes are exquisite along with the production design. However, these are offset by the cinematography which is occasionally drab. At least the music score by Fernando Velazquez brings some life to the movie. 

 

Don't waste your time if you're a Pride and Prejudice fan. You'll be wishing you were reading the novel or viewing the more definitive versions. If you're a zombie buff, there's better movies in the history of this genre. Marrying the two together has simply resulted in a divorce.

 

Starring Lily James, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcoate, Jack Huston, Lena Headey and Charles Dance

(107 mins)

Parental advice: Violence

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits a character who is believed to be killed, returns as a zombie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foGraEVNI0s (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Thursday 25th February, 2016)

For my latest reviews, go to this link: http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review