Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Hi Mom.
I'm in a great mood because I just got back from seeing "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" with my friend Clelia and just wow. It is quite possibly my newest favorite movie, concept and all-encompassing thing.
First off I should say, this movie is not going to be winning any award. As much as I'd vote for it, I don't think it's quite got the advertising stamina or the initial push that most award winning movies have during their opening weekends. I say this mainly because I was 1 of about maybe 15 people in the theater, that's also counting the few people who were obviously movie hopping and came in halfway through.
Assuming almost everyone in the world is at least familiar with the general plot of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", this adaption, originally written in 2009 by Seth Grahame-Smith, takes it into the present, but not by having it set there. Instead it's taken a very popular, modern day idea of the 'zombie apocalypse' and blended it with the original "Pride and Prejudice" plot. We've got the Bennet Sisters, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingly, and Mr. Darcy....and a whole lot of zombies.
"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" had everything I want in a great movie. Especially in my personal need for gorgeous dresses with equally gorgeous weapons hidden throughout,done on women who can handle themselves and any situation. My love for an ornate dress rivals that of an ornate blade.
The run time was about an hour and 45 minutes. I didn't get bored or felt like the movie was dragging on which is usually what happens in 2 and a half hour movies. *cough cough most superhero movies*
The HUMOR. DRY, WITTY, PIERCING AND SUBTLE. I knew very little about the movie going in, so I had no idea it was actually half comedy (if not all). There was a great balance of humor and drama. It didn't take itself too seriously. The movie brought you into its world quickly with almost a shock factor and then softens you up with the humor and flow of it all. And then, when you're nice and comfortable it hit you with some intense emotions. You realize you're sinking down into the seat, trying to hide away from flood of feelings that literally came out of nowhere.
Costume design <3 A lot of movies that are heavy in action/combat lean towards pants. Which is fine. Pants are very practical. But there's something to be said about the flow of fabric, and that reveal when our shero (new favorite term) gracefully sways her dress to the side and unsheathes a heavy, not so delicate sword that is about to bring the end to a whole lot of zombies. As a stickler as I am for slapping a short skirt and a tight shirt on a female lead, the era itself lent to a creative compromise. While the overall look remained that of most 19th century films, the subtle splits between fabric allowed for great movement and flow. (I JUST REALLY WANT TO DO SOME SWORD FIGHTING IN A GREAT DRESS OKAY?)
The music was spot on as far as pushing a mood or feeling without taking away from what was visually happening.
The cast was perfect. Lily James shined as brunette and as Lizzie Bennet, zombie fighting princess. Zombie fighting Queen goes to Lena Heady (you may know her as Cercei from 'Game of Thrones') who plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The appearance of Matt Smith (whom I know as the 11th Doctor from 'Doctor Who') as Parson Collins was done with comedic perfection.
The zombie makeup was great. ' The Walking Dead' has given us some rather nightmarish, if not gory zombies, and while PPZ delivers in scary, decaying flesh I didn't feel the need to vomit. So that's a bonus.
I also loved the fact that when Lizzie and Darcy are talking in Parson Collins and Mary's cottage that when she confronts him about sabotaging Jane and Mr. Bingly's relationshop, rather than internally digest her feelings like most proper women do in movies, she literally throws book after book at him and when that's not enough, they get into a full on brawl. It just so was beautiful.
I'm in a great mood because I just got back from seeing "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" with my friend Clelia and just wow. It is quite possibly my newest favorite movie, concept and all-encompassing thing.
First off I should say, this movie is not going to be winning any award. As much as I'd vote for it, I don't think it's quite got the advertising stamina or the initial push that most award winning movies have during their opening weekends. I say this mainly because I was 1 of about maybe 15 people in the theater, that's also counting the few people who were obviously movie hopping and came in halfway through.
Assuming almost everyone in the world is at least familiar with the general plot of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", this adaption, originally written in 2009 by Seth Grahame-Smith, takes it into the present, but not by having it set there. Instead it's taken a very popular, modern day idea of the 'zombie apocalypse' and blended it with the original "Pride and Prejudice" plot. We've got the Bennet Sisters, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingly, and Mr. Darcy....and a whole lot of zombies.
"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" had everything I want in a great movie. Especially in my personal need for gorgeous dresses with equally gorgeous weapons hidden throughout,done on women who can handle themselves and any situation. My love for an ornate dress rivals that of an ornate blade.
The run time was about an hour and 45 minutes. I didn't get bored or felt like the movie was dragging on which is usually what happens in 2 and a half hour movies. *cough cough most superhero movies*
The HUMOR. DRY, WITTY, PIERCING AND SUBTLE. I knew very little about the movie going in, so I had no idea it was actually half comedy (if not all). There was a great balance of humor and drama. It didn't take itself too seriously. The movie brought you into its world quickly with almost a shock factor and then softens you up with the humor and flow of it all. And then, when you're nice and comfortable it hit you with some intense emotions. You realize you're sinking down into the seat, trying to hide away from flood of feelings that literally came out of nowhere.
Costume design <3 A lot of movies that are heavy in action/combat lean towards pants. Which is fine. Pants are very practical. But there's something to be said about the flow of fabric, and that reveal when our shero (new favorite term) gracefully sways her dress to the side and unsheathes a heavy, not so delicate sword that is about to bring the end to a whole lot of zombies. As a stickler as I am for slapping a short skirt and a tight shirt on a female lead, the era itself lent to a creative compromise. While the overall look remained that of most 19th century films, the subtle splits between fabric allowed for great movement and flow. (I JUST REALLY WANT TO DO SOME SWORD FIGHTING IN A GREAT DRESS OKAY?)
The music was spot on as far as pushing a mood or feeling without taking away from what was visually happening.
The cast was perfect. Lily James shined as brunette and as Lizzie Bennet, zombie fighting princess. Zombie fighting Queen goes to Lena Heady (you may know her as Cercei from 'Game of Thrones') who plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The appearance of Matt Smith (whom I know as the 11th Doctor from 'Doctor Who') as Parson Collins was done with comedic perfection.
The zombie makeup was great. ' The Walking Dead' has given us some rather nightmarish, if not gory zombies, and while PPZ delivers in scary, decaying flesh I didn't feel the need to vomit. So that's a bonus.
I also loved the fact that when Lizzie and Darcy are talking in Parson Collins and Mary's cottage that when she confronts him about sabotaging Jane and Mr. Bingly's relationshop, rather than internally digest her feelings like most proper women do in movies, she literally throws book after book at him and when that's not enough, they get into a full on brawl. It just so was beautiful.
Which leads me into my feminist compass that is always subconsciously judging every movie I ever watch:
- Female lead
- Female dominated cast (8 woman to 5 men which is kind of crazy considering there is 3/9 in "The Avengers" and only 1 is actually an Avenger....)
- Female dominated cast who can hold their own in any situation: combat, wit and conversation. At one point there was a zombie attack during a ball. And while everyone else was running for the woods, all of the Bennet Sisters turned towards the building without hesitation ready for battle.
- All female characters are strong and complex and don't play into any type of archetype.
- Female saves the male love interest. When it came down to it, it was Darcy who needed saving, and Liz was there, Knight in Shining armor knocking down anyone in her way. It was just so refreshing.
- Male love interest is not someone the lead long sought after, or lost control over herself because of her feelings for. Like how a number of female characters are portrayed when they first make eye contact with the love interest, most lose themselves in the moment and forget to breathe. Forget that. Liz Bennet saw, wasn't impressed and moved forward, because believe it or not females are quite capable of choosing themselves and their families over a guy.
- Back to the dresses point. While I believe in clothing that doesn't objectify women, I love the fact that it didn't mean, 'slap some loose pants and a shirt on her'. The creativity and thought that goes into the costume designs is not misused or neglected in anyway in this movie.
I have not been this hyped since discovering "Hamilton"....and we know how that's going. Needless to say there will be fan art coming soon.
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