We’re on a Decade schedule for PRIDE & PREJUDICE. Way back in 1995 we had the lovely Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as the difficult Ms. Bennet & Mr. Darcy in an exhaustively satisfying mini-series of Jane Austen’s page turner. Then in 2005, we had Keira Knightley as the over-wrought Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as the every annoyingly dreamy Mr Darcy.
2015 came and went and there was no PRIDE & PREJUDICE… we were all over-wrought with despair, but it’s ok… just a tad into 2016 we are presented with exactly what this series has always needed… an updating. No, the period is the same, but ya know – I’ve always had a bone to pick with PRIDE & PREJUDICE… Sure the slavish pains of society upon a young girl’s heart and hopes… it’s great, but it seemed to me that Mr Darcy was always not only lacking in empathy, but had nothing to keep him busy in life other than to serve the whims and judgments of Ms Bennet. Also, the story takes place when it seems just about nothing cool is happening in England.
Enter Seth Grahame-Smith, the man that was probably wantonly addicted to Marvel’s WHAT IF comics series… because he’s made ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE HUNTER a reality – and he gave Zombies to Jane Austen’s creation. So last week, I quite happily went to an advance screening of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES. And had a blast with it.
So – how much do Zombies change Jane Austen’s work? At its core… not at all. Elizabeth Bennet will hate Mr. Darcy for perceived wrong doings, and Mr Darcy will act the ass that he is in his prideful position in society. Elizabeth must see her sisters taken care of before she’s clear to follow her own heart – and Mr Bingley will be more dreamy than Darcy, but we all know he is a duplicitous snake of a man. And he is.
However… ZOMBIES make all this shit so much more fun. Not only are there simply Zombies… This isn’t like the girls are at home one day and suddenly there are Zombies. No, the Zombie Apocalypse has been happening for some time. British society has adapted. Just having this era having the time to prepare and train for zombie masses… well, that’s delightful. And I say delightful, because this is a PG-13 ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. What that means is you won’t be seeing a ton of graphic gore, instead, the zombies are more stylized. They’re very creepily envisioned, but in this verse… the Bennet sisters were sent to China to learn the Shaolin arts, so… the Bennet sisters… they kick ass for the lord, although they never say it in so many words… dammit.
The men are all incredibly focused on Zombie warfare. And yet, even in a Zombie Apocalypse the heart yearns to be united with their own true love. Daughters wish to leave the house. But running to be united with your true love has never been so difficult with Zombies in the forest, fields and actually setting traps. Yup, these zombies have a bit of their wits about them, and until they eat brains, they’re quite a bit able to be reasoned with, although there is a Cadaveracist attitude by the Upper Classes. So typical.
So – How is Lily James’ Elizabeth Bennet? Well, Lily James is, of course, enchanting as always, but personally, I love that she’s got a warrior’s spirit in addition to her regular pig-headedness. I wish the relationship between her and her father, played by Charles Dance, was as strong as it has been in the previous telling of Zombie-less versions, but I get it. You add Zombies, you have to take away from other aspects. Lily James not only nails the character – she also knows Kung Fu – which makes her infinitely cooler than any previous Ms Bennet – cuz KUNG FU as a rule, makes everything better!
Then… How is Sam Riley’s Mr. Darcy? Well, Colin Firth still owns this role, but… Sam Riley still has that Darcy stare, where you can see the tappets of his mind friz out like Robby the Robot in a conflicting command… That look of saying one thing while meaning another. Darcy only every becomes awesome in his letters to Ms Bennet, when the blood hasn’t rushed from his mind, due to the desire in his heart. But you know when Ms Bennet’s sister runs off with the Human Louse and Darcy rushes to get him to give her up? Well, let’s just say it goes a lot further than just going into the London ghettos… It’s massively heroic here – and it is pretty damn cool.
I do have to say there is one character that is light years better than this character has ever been played in any adaptation of PRIDE & PREJUDICE – and that’s Parson Collins as played by Matt Smith. He is, without a doubt, an outstanding delight in this film. Everything about him. His manner, his physical performance… he’s fantastic. This is Matt Smith’s most fun work since leaving the DOCTOR behind. He causes many giddy claps over things he does. You’ll see.
Now – how is this film for a VALENTINE’S DAY date? Well, pretty perfect if you ask me, but then my wife adores PRIDE & PREJUDICE and she’s also a big ZOMBIE fan. So it’s all good here.
I have to say though, if you love this… You must seek out THE LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES. At least it does it for me. The VFX of PRIDE & PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES is more painterly than hyper realistic, but then that fits the overall palate of the film.
If you love Jane Austen & Zombies, there’s really nothing else that’ll put that brand of peanut butter and that brand of chocolate together in such a wonderful way. Also, I don’t think England is going to prevail. This time, I think they’re doomed.
Keep it cool,
Harry
