Maggie - B

Rated PG-13, 95 minutes
Wes's Grade: B

The affecting, character-driven zombie flick "Maggie" also has a great turn by Schwarzenegger

An affecting zombie flick starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? Yes, you read that right, which is the premise of the dark, well-acted drama about a man who is caring for his daughter who is slowly turning into a zombie. A teenage girl named Maggie (Abigail Breslin) in the Midwest becomes infected by an outbreak of a disease that slowly turns the infected into cannibalistic zombies. During her transformation, her loving father (Schwarzenegger) stays by her side. Directed by Henry Hobson and written by John Scott III, "Maggie" is a moving zombie movie that relies less on blood and gore and more on the father-daughter relationship. What's most surprising about the very low-budget movie is Schwarzenegger low-key, even nuanced turn as the father who must agonize over his daughter's turn into a different creature. What's more, dark and dystopian films with creatures isn't anything new for Schwarzenegger, but what is new is the fact the movie isn't weighed down by a bevy of makeup, special effects and one-lines that he's used to (that will likely change with the next "Terminator" film he's in), just a tender family relationship. Breslin, who's matured into a serviceable actress since her "Little Miss Sunshine" days, is also strong as the titular character morphing into something she's so unsure about, as is Joely Richardson as Maggie's sensitive mother. Maggie and her Dad have some nice exchanges, including their final one as human father-daughter. The satisfying, affecting "Maggie" is much slower, less violent and action-packed and more character-driven than other films in this genre, which may or may not please those enjoy zombie flicks, but it sure is worth a look for a very different and unusual Schwarzenegger role.