Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is pure fan fiction, in the best way.

"Fan fiction" is often used as a bit of a derogatory word when reviewing new approaches to classic stories, but it shouldn't be. Many writers who grew up in the online fan fiction communities from 2000 to 2010 are telling stories now, and their methods are becoming regularized, refined. Telling versions of classic stories in new ways, in ways that feel fun and meaningful, is storytelling unto itself. Although it often incorporates parody or irony, fan fiction's strength is that it is foremost steeped in a love for the original material, and that genuine connection makes it possible to tell new stories.

Sure, there are mountains of crap, stories that are litmus tests for “fandom,” but the cream rises to the top. “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is an entertaining, dorky retelling of the "Pride and Prejudice" story with a heaping, happy helping of schlock.

In “P&P&Z,” all of your favorite characters from the original story are there. Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James), Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley), blah blah blah. Their relationships are largely the same — except instead of finding love in 18th-century England, they're finding love and navigating social mores in an 18th-century England overrun with flesh-eating zombies. Darcy is a zombie hunter; the Bennet girls are trained in kung fu. The essential themes of women finding themselves and independence in their decisions and romance are all present. Moments from the novel are lifted directly, up until an occasional zombie attack creates cause for hyper-violence.

Additional fan-casting alerts: Matt Smith plays Mr. Collins, Charles Dance plays Mr. Bennet and Lena Heady plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh (albeit with an eyepatch and unmatched zombie-slaughtering pedigree).

The women are really the stars, and James plays a great Elizabeth. More importantly, the women are action stars, their emotional reactions to situations explicated by violence. When Darcy first proposes and Elizabeth says no? She kicks him in the stomach. That sort of thing. It's a fun catharsis for those who know the story. It's a fun movie for those who don't.

Sure, there are plot elements that don't make much sense. At one point “P&P&Z” goes off the rails a bit, including a shadowy secret organization straight from Bad Ideas R Us. But no matter. That's a small bit. Importantly enough, "P&P&Z" is as consistently fun as it is consistently dumb! If you're a fan of “Pride and Prejudice,” this one is worth it — defying expectations, as most mid-level actioners tend to feel like boring crap. The added fun of lovingly incorporating “Pride and Prejudice,” without shame, makes this one a winner.