Pride and Prejudice and Zombies automatically wins the award for Most Straightforward Movie Title of the Year. When you pay your money to see this movie, you should know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
Based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel who also penned Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, the movie stars Lily James from Cinderella as Elizabeth Bennet, the oldest of the Bennet sisters who along with her siblings are trained in martial arts to defend their home of England against (What else?) a zombie invasion.
The character of Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) who’s now been promoted to Col. Darcy employs their help in order to get rid of the zombies that are attacking.
The movie does display a few moments where we get some measured doses of gore. It is PG-13 after all. One scene involving zombies interrupting a ball and creating all kinds of mayhem while the Bennet sisters showcase their skills that make Charlie’s Angels look like amateurs. Needless to say, Austen purists will be nothing short of thrilled at how the filmmakers remain true to the spirit and tone of the original classic.
Like the aforementioned Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies takes the phrase ‘suspension of disbelief’ to a whole new level. It takes one of the most absurd of premises and plays it straight most of the time. At least as straight as possible despite some obvious winks at the camera.
I have to admit that I liked it while I was watching it. However, as the days have gone on, it’s meant even less and less if that’s possible. I’d be hard pressed to find anyone who will clearly remember it a few days after they’ve seen it.
Having said that, I am still recommending mainly because it’s goofy fun even if it doesn’t take complete advantage of its campy material. I’m already looking forward to the next literary mishmash: Romeo and Juliet: Demon Hunters.
Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for zombie violence and action, and brief suggestive material.)
