PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES (2016)

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Burr Steers
Cast: Lily James, Matt Smith, Jack Huston, Douglas Booth, Charles Dance, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcote, Suki Waterhouse, Lena Headey
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: NC-16 (Violence)
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 11 February 2016

Synopsis: In the vein of Snow White and The Huntsman and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is the latest retelling of a classic tale fused with entertaining, cutting edge action. In this fresh twist on Jane Austen’s widely celebrated novel, a mysterious plague has fallen upon 19th century England, the land is overrun with the undead and feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is a master of martial arts and weaponry. Rabid zombies are as much of an obstacle to the unconventional attraction between Liz and Mr. Darcy as the charms of the manipulative Mr. Wickham. Casting aside personal and social prejudices, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy must unite on the blood-soaked battlefield to rid the country of the zombie menace and discover their true love for one another.

Movie Review:

Jane Austen will surely turn in her grave if she learns that her beloved literary work has been mashed up into a gothic horror actioner. Nevertheless, this reimagining of the Jane Austen’s classic by Seth Granhame-Smith easily beats another one of his wacky works, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter in terms of fun and romance.

In 19^th century England, a mysteriously infectious virus has turned half of the population into zombies (some surprisingly maintaining the ability to think and speak). With the country in chaos, Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) and her four sisters are well equipped with the necessary martial-arts skills to protect themselves, all thanks to the hindsight of Mr Bennet. Mrs Bennet on the other hand is keen to marry them to rich potential suitors, including a Mr Bingley (Douglas Booth) and Mr Darcy or known here as Colonel Darcy (Sam Riley).

The entire affair remains utterly faithful to Austen’s material despite the madcap inclusion of a zombie invasion. Pardon me for the spoilers if you are a novice to the original novel, but expect characters like the up-to-no-good Mr Wickham (Jack Huston) and the self-important Mr Collins (Matt Smith aka Dr Who) to pop up - though Collins is reduced to a doofus comic relief. 

Even for a book that is more than 200 years old, Pride and Prejudice remains a strong feminist material, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies reinforces the message with its constant display of ass-kicking moves by its leading lady. Who needs a man if one can effortlessly wield a sword and fire a rifle with great accuracy? One particularly engaging scene has Elizabeth sparring hard with Colonel Darcy after the former turns down his proposal. Prepare to expect anything from falling furniture to books to buttons and cleavage.

Even if there’s an oversupply of zombie apocalypse related flicks on TV and movies, director and writer Burt Steers (Igy Goes Down, 17 Again) at the very minimum does a pretty decent job handling the drama and zombie action. On one hand, it is a neat adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with plenty of lush countryside shots, believable Victorian style costumes and dialogue. And the other lots of loud gunshots and gory makeup to remind you this is after all a period romance with zombies.  

The mostly Brit cast will appeal to the younger audience, especially Lily James who has already mesmerized everyone in Downtown Abbey and Cinderella. Sam Riley not the conventional handsome leading man carries himself remarkably well as the often aloof, brooding Darcy. Douglas Booth has the looks to charm the girls - unfortunately his screentime is limited - while Australian Bella Heathcote as the eldest Bennet sister is genuinely sweet.

Gather a few good friends and catch Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The whole point is to have fun laughing at the silly gags and scream at all the ridiculous bloodshed. If you want to know more of Austen’s works, you still need to go to the library or download a digital book. The real Jane Austen does not have the living battling the undead. No, seriously for the last time, the Bennet sisters did not go to Shaolin temple to pick up self-defense moves. 

Movie Rating:

(Let down your pride and embrace the romance, bloodshed and cleavage!)

Review by Linus Tee