*Sigh* This film could have been so good. And yet...

Let's start with the pros. Lily James shines as badass zombie-slaying Elizabeth Bennett in a version of the character that feels very fresh and contemporary. Uninterested in finding a husband, this incarnation of Lizzie is much more concerned with the more pressing matter of the recent zombie outbreak. With no patience for polite society, she openly expresses what she thinks and takes out her frustrations by hacking at bushes with a sword. A standout moment involves the iconic confrontation between Lizzie and Darcy after he proposes - but this time the fight involves literal hand-to-hand combat.

Some other standout characters include Matt Smith's hilariously bumbling Mr Collins and Lena Headey's intimidating one-eyed zombie-slayer Lady Catherine, though Sam Riley didn't feel quite right as a snarling, leather-clad Mr Darcy. However despite some interesting and original characterization, the script as a whole left a lot to be desired, full of awkward dialogue and poorly developed plot-lines.

Too ridiculous to be considered a drama but not funny enough to be considered a comedy, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies sits awkwardly between the two. It strikes an uneven balance between the zombie plot-line and the period romance, with neither feeling fully realized. Without sufficient development, events such as Wickham running away with Lydia feel very sudden and random and the romance between Elizabeth and Darcy never quite comes off - due partly to a lack of chemistry between the two lead actors and partly to poor writing.

The overall result is a confused mess of a story centered around an unconvincing romance and a lacklustre action plot. A great concept poorly executed; I'm sad to say this film is another title to add to the long list of mediocre Jane Austen adaptations.