Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Director: Burr Steers
Year Released: 2016
Rating: 1.0
Silly re-do of the classic Jane Austen work that introduces zombies to her traditional storyline of soon-to-be lovers Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) and Elizabeth (Lily James), along with meddling Wickham (Jack Huston) and charming Charles Bingley (Douglas Booth). Based on the book by Seth Grahame-Smith, it's a clash of genres: the crassness and violence of the undead-slaying doesn't mesh with the obviously prudent courtship of Austen's time (a gimmick like this one is fine if it adds to the source material, but I don't believe the women's empowerment slant or Wickham's "appeasement" angle are of significance). It was a project doomed to mediocrity from the start but there are (ever-so-slight) positives: the female cast is stunning (including James, Suki Waterhouse, Lena Headey and Bella Heathcote) and Matt Smith is fine as (ever-so-minor) comedic relief.
