For a few years now, fan fiction has been adding to a larger part of our entertainment landscape. We live in world where Star Trek and The X-Men team up in comics and Abraham Lincoln hunts vampires on the big screen. If there is a “what if” scenario out there, someone will make it. So we shouldn’t be surprised by the upcoming release of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Based on the Jane Austen novel of a shorter name, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a retelling of the original source material with the addition of, you guessed it, zombies. Trained from a early age in the art of battle, the young women of this polite society have been re-imagined as an elite group of zombie slayers. I would go on, but the trailer speaks for itself.
The film stars a bevy of well known British talent with Game of Thrones favorites Lena Headey and Charles Dance, as well as Lily James of Downton Abbey and the Eleventh Doctor himself, Matt Smith. A solid cast to say the least. Director Burr Steers, stepping out of his comfort zone of teen movies, seems to have a handle on the look of the film, blending fast paced fight choreography with a period perfect backdrop. But the final product being a reflection the sharp editing of the trailer is yet to be seen.
First published as a novel by Quirk Books, other mash-up titles soon followed such as Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters as well as a series of William Shakespeare inspired versions of Star Wars. Amusing in concept, though, like anything else, the potential for over saturation looms ahead. Having only seen the trailer, it is fair to say this could be a very fun movie. The earmarks are there. All things considered, including the “pulled punches” PG-13 rating, I’ll give a light recommend to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. But, be your own critic and check out the trailer for yourself. Cheerio!
Release date: February 5, 2016
