Movie Review: “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”

This is the official movie poster. “Bloody Lovely” indeed.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

OVERALL: First I would like to say that I really enjoyed the book. How could you not love Pride and Prejudice with zombie slaying action? Well I sure did. In fact actor Matt Smith agrees with me. 🙂 Oh. God. I so enjoyed this movie! It made me so happy!! I mean women and men kicking butt, taking names, slaying zombies AND they are fashionably dressed for the Regency era. What more could you want?!?! Ok, I do want to see it again.

POINTS: It was just fun! Takes the attitudes and airs of Pride and Prejudice and adds zombie slaying with the same well behaved manners of the dinner table. It was pretty, talented cast, good direction, just a fun time. This may not be for everyone but that’s ok. It was totally for me.

PITFALLS: Unfortunately this movie did not do well at the box office. What?!?!? How could people not go to this movie? I think that Pride and Prejudice people probably didn’t think there would be enough romance and the zombie people didn’t think there would be enough zombie slayage. Oh good grief to both sides! There was plenty of both!

FEMALE CHARACTER(S): But of course! This is all about the Bennet sisters trying to find husbands and therefore secure some type of living for their futures. Mr. Bennet has raised his daughters to be warriors so they can help fight the zombie menace. Excellent! So we have Elizabeth (Lily James) and Jane (Bella Heathcote) leading the charge for survival – both from zombies and poverty. We also have Lena Headey as Lady Catherine de Bourgh and oh my is she wonderful in that role! As with all things Austen, the women are complex and smart and thoroughly enjoyable. So are the men.

CULTURAL PITFALL(S): OMG where to begin?!?! One of the reasons I have a hard time with Austen, well basically anything set before the sexual revolution, is that women are dis-empowered, total second class citizens. They have nothing. There is no way for them to survive without being married as there is practically no way for them to earn a living. It makes me shudder. So yes this is a good story and yes by all means enjoy it, but wow, it just makes me panic. I love being able to make my own living and have my own life that I can then share with my wonderful husband. Whew!

HIGH POINT(S):

1.) “She’s shy!” Oh. Oh this is such a great moment! See the line at 1:55 in the SPOILERS clip below.

2.) Matt Smith as Parson Collins. Oh my. Mr. Smith stole the show with his fabulous portrayal of Parson Collins. He could be hired for a regular version of Pride and Prejudice. He was amazing! Over the top without being over the top. No really. Oh just go see the movie and you will know what I mean. Well done sir!

3.) The Look. The movie is beautiful. It’s a period piece, which means wonderful costumes and breathtaking scenery. The cinematography was lush and gorgeous.

SPOILERS!

4.) Darcy & Elizabeth Fight Scene. You can see this below. See the reason this scene is beyond perfect is this is actually the subtext of the real scene! Darcy and Elizabeth want to punch the snot out of each other in original version. However in the original version, they can only spare with words, and must be proper about it too. However since both are warriors in this version they can let the fists fly! EXCELLENT! It makes me so happy.