Writer: Burr Steers (Screenplay) Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith (Quirk Novel)
Starring: Lily James, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcote, Ellie Bamber, Millie Brady, Suki Waterhouse, Douglas Booth, Sally Phillips, Charles Dance, Jack Huston, Lena Heady, Matt Smith
Plot: Five sisters in 19th century England must cope with pressures to marry wealthy gentlemen, as well as protecting themselves from a growing population of savage zombies.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Pure Fun
Story: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies starts as we see Captain Darcy (Riley) who is a hunter all off those who could have become infected with y zombies, he has his ways to detect them before they hurt anyone else. Role the opening credits which explain how we have entered into a world where zombies have been living between them and the worlds have been separated.
Of course what would a Pride and Prejudice story be without the Bennet family, so time to introduce them Mr Bennet (Dance), Mrs Bennet (Phillips) and children Elizabeth (James), Jane (Heathcote), Lydia (Bamber), Mary (Brady) and Kitty (Waterhouse) who have all been trained in combat but also looking to find themselves a worthy husband.
When Elizabeth meets Mr Darcy the two clash on whole they will battle zombies with Jane potentially have been bitten with the Bennet household become overrun with zombies? Enter in the rest of the potential husbands Mr Bingley (Booth), George Wickham (Huston) and Parson Collins (Smith) who all come over as combat opposites to the Bennet girls.
We continue to follow Elizabeth as she is dealing with the idea of finding the right husband while learning the horrifying truth about who is behind the zombie infection, never knowing who to trust.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a spin on the classic novel that I have never read or seen the original material so my judgment has no bearing on what might have come before. I did love the how this span what could be considered a romantic based story with the added zombie factor. I did like how they made the woman the strong characters involved in the film. This isn’t overly serious but I guess you don’t want to see that this time around. We get to see plenty of gore throughout which is all fun without forgetting to handle the social standing the characters have to go through.
Actor Review
Lily James: Elizabeth Bennet is one of the famously known Bennet daughters, she thinks different to her sisters as she wants to find the man she loves to marry rather than be married off by her parents, she is an expert in combat in a world overrun with zombies. She rejects all the men that come her way even though she has found a way to attract the attention of Mr Darcy as the two clash before she learns who he really is. Lily is good as the kick ass socially on top lady trying to find her husband which is Lily shows can handling both sides of the story.
Sam Riley: Mr Darcy is the mysterious man who hunts zombies, he will take no mercy on anyone who has been infected, he comes off social awkward as he is made out to be the bad guy before we learn his true story and he tries to win Elizabeth’s heart. Sam is good in this role showing he works for the time period and can handle the action.
Bella Heathcote: Jane Bennet is another one of the sisters who has grabbed the attention of Mr Bingley, she will back her sister in any combat to make sure they are both safe. Bella is good in the supporting performance.
Jack Huston: George Wickham is a fellow soldier who has history with Darcy in the past, he is well-spoken when it comes to his story and is the reason why Darcy is considered a bad man but he has alternative motives. Jack is good in this role where he shows the signs of the villain while coming off as the hero.
Support Cast: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has a large supporting cast that all do well in this film with Matt Smith stealing most of his scenes.
Director Review: Burr Steers – Burr gives us a great fun romantic horror movie that takes us into the world of 19th century England and zombie filled world.
Action: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has plenty of zombie killing action through the whole film.
Horror: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies throws zombies into this classic tale which works to add horror to the mix.
Romance: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies keeps the romantic story as our female characters are looking for a husband but Lizzy will only follow her heart.
Settings: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies might get us confused where each scene takes place keeps the time period looking like the part needed.
Special Effects: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has great effects to create the zombies and zombie kills through the film.
Suggestion: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is one to try because I feel the fans of the original material might struggle to enjoy this one. (Try It)
Best Part: War Battle where Lizzy finds Darcy.
Worst Part: The settings are difficult to keep on top of.
Funniest Scene: Matt Smith is hilarious
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Left open for one.
Post Credits Scene: Early on in credits.
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $28 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes
Tagline: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” – Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Overall: Fun twist on the classic tale
Rating