It’s probably no easy task to create a coming-of-age film around a character who no longer ages. By virtue of being, you know, well, dead. But Warm Bodies offers up a romantic comedy about a zombie in love – a zom-rom-com, if you will – in which a beautiful, blonde-haired survivor played by Teresa Palmer stirs the passions of the undead Nicholas Hoult.

Is love all that anybody, alive or dead or somewhere in-between, ever truly needs?

This clever twist on the genre film is earning high marks from critics thusfar in a month that’s already proven financially successful for the horror genre. Hopefully this flick will see some living, breathing love at the box-office.

Tasha Robinson, AV Club

“On paper, much of this story was about the protagonist’s internal life, in a way that turned him into a colorfully realized version of an every-teen: awkward at expressing himself, occasionally horrified at the gap between his feelings and his actions, uncertain where each new development might lead, but excited by every new hint of hope and of escape from the dreary, mundane daily plod. Onscreen, it’s a mildly comedic but bluntly told story about how teen romance magically cures zombie infection.”

Jordan Hoffman, ScreenCrush

“Warm Bodies is a supernatural teen love story with a brain. (Excuse me. . .BRAINS!) It is hardly a memorable film, and certainly a step back for director Jonathan Levine after the masterful 50/50, but it’s cute, and if you are a high schooler looking for a date flick or slightly older and chaperoning your niece you could do a hell of a lot worse.”

Michael Phillips, The Chicago Tribune

“We’re a long way from the manic, repulsive, jolly slapstick of Zombieland. This is more like a sensitively bent version of a Nicholas Sparks novel, where lovers must overcome significant social obstacles before moving on to the bed. At one point we hear R remind himself: ‘Don’t be creepy … don’t be creepy,’ as he tries to pass for human among actual humans. Hoult has a nice, sympathetic quality at such moments, though the whole of Warm Bodies, in both its comic and dramatic strains, lacks a certain…what? Ooomph? Intensity? Invention?”

Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times

“This is a bloody fresh twist on the most popular horror genre of this century, with none-too-subtle echoes of a certain star-crossed romance that harks back to a certain bard who placed a certain young Romeo under a certain balcony. I kinda love this movie. Warm Bodies is a well-paced, nicely directed, post-apocalyptic love story with a terrific sense of humor and the, um, guts to be unabashedly romantic and unapologetically optimistic.”

Sheri Linden, Huffington Post

“Warm Bodies, the latest permutation of the zombie screen phenomenon, places heart over horror and romantic teen angst over sharp social commentary. The low gore quotient and emphasis on young love might disappoint genre purists, but for those open to the idea of a gently goofy mash-up, the film is strong on atmosphere and offers likably low-key, if somewhat bland, charms. As a date movie for teens and twentysomethings that nods toward edgy fantasy while favoring down-to-earth mellowness, the Summit release is primed to hit the box-office sweet spot.”

Watch the trailer for Warm Bodies and then let us know — what did you think of the zom-rom-com?

Warm Bodies occupies a rarified nexus between genres – horror and comedy — that demands a delicate balance of tone and content in order to succeed.

One of the film’s stars, Analeigh Tipton (Damsels in Distress), tells Celebuzz that she and her collaborators were well aware of the responsibility they faced in making the movie both scary and funny, without emphasizing one too much over the other.

“We definitely had an awareness of the fragility of what we were dealing with,” Tipton explains. “Because it can go oh so badly.”

Tipton says that director Jonathan Levine gave them a compass to follow when trying to maintain the right balance. “[Jonathan] knows what’s cool,” she says.

“He is in himself just like a cool guy, like intimidatingly so. So you kind of guess, and if something was funny, he would laugh.”

In Warm Bodies, Tipton plays Nora, the best friend of Teresa Palmer’s character Julie Grigio. She says that was an additional challenge tackling a role that exists largely to help build the integrity of the zombie-infested world within the film, because she was required to both support another character and create a memorable and unique one for herself.

“Any supporting role, such as the best friend, can tend to go into a more stereotypical realm of what that is,” she says. “But Jonathan was great about allowing us the freedom to contribute some roundedness into [our characters].”

“He did that for me by letting me go into all of these great, different comedic tones, from compassionate comedy to a little bit darker,” she continues. “That’s a fun opportunity to get to do.”

Watch the rest of Celebuzz’ exclusive interview with Analeigh Tipton, as well as the theatrical trailer for the film. And then let us know in the comments section below – what do you think of the film’s balance of horror and comedy?

Jonathan Levine’s new movie Warm Bodies asks audiences to believe that an attractive, able-bodied young woman could fall in love with a zombie – as in a real-deal, brains-eating dead guy. Who kills and eats her still-living boyfriend, no less.

But Teresa Palmer, who plays young crush object Julie Grigio, says that it was an easy prospect for her to imagine, thanks to the appeal of the actor she was starring opposite.

“It’s kind of easy when you’re acting opposite Nicholas Hoult,” she tells Celebuzz. “He’s so endearing.”

Hoult’s character R does indeed devour Julie’s boyfriend, played by Dave Franco (21 Jump Street). But even Palmer says that the character’s post-meal demeanor is too pleasant to resist.

“R, the character, is charming and sweet and nurturing and gentle and wants to take care of me,” she says. “One of the lines he keeps saying in the movie is ‘safe – keep you safe,’ and that is just so sweet!”

What do you think of Palmer’s assessment of her co-star, Nicholas Hoult? Is he a hunk, even in undead form? Watch Celebuzz’ exclusive video interview with Palmer and then let us know in the comments below – could you fall for a guy whose diet consists entirely of brains?

With Breaking Dawn – Part 2 wrapping up the Bella-Edward-Jacob saga (for the time being) and so many new movies competing for the attention of fans in search of fantasy-oriented romance, it’s tough to know what’s worth watching. But Summit Entertainment, the folks responsible for the Twilight series, are hoping to strike gold again with the zombie-themed Warm Bodies – and they’re offering you a chance to see the movie early.

Based on the novel by Isaac Marion, Warm Bodies follows the relationship between a zombie named R (Nicholas Hoult) and Julie Grigio (Teresa Palmer), the girlfriend of one of his victims. The movie isn’t officially being released February 1, 2013, but read on below to find out how you can see it before anyone else this week!

Summit is partnering with Celebuzz to offer lucky fans across the country an opportunity to RSVP and attend a screening of the film in 19 different cities. RSVP at THIS LINK to find out if there’s a screening available in your area.

Please keep in mind that once screenings fill up, no one else will be able to attend, as indicated by a red circle with a strikethrough. People will need to print their pass and bring it with them to the screening for admittance.

Screenings are available on a first come, first serve basis, but tickets do not guarantee admission. But once you RSVP, make sure you let your friends and fellow fans know that you’re attending with the hashtag #WarmBodies.

We hope to see you there! If you need any further enticing to RSVP, watch the film’s theatrical trailer below!