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Zombieland

An American post-apocalyptic zombie comedy movie. ... see full wiki

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55 Ratings: +3.6

Cast: Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard, Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone

Release Date: October 2, 2009

Genre: Comedy, Horror

MPAA Rating: R

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93 Ratings: +3.7

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Zombie Heaven

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a review by QUEENBFLIX

Oct 2, 2009

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I can't believe the hate this flick is getting, for me it was zombie comedy heaven all wrapped up in a nice new package. We've seen zombies presented in all sorts of ways before but generally we get them in the same old unimaginative way; people get trapped in a house or other edifice and try to fight them off. Yeah. I saw that back in the 1960s and I've been ready for something else for a long time now so I appreciate any new twist to the formula no matter how slight. The twist here is that ZOMBIELAND is character driven. If it weren't for its 2 main characters, Columbus and Tallahassee, this flick wouldn't be half as interesting as it is. Columbus is an agoraphobic kid who has managed to survive the zombie apocalypse because he has never trusted anyone and by strict adherence to a set of rules he's devised. Tallahassee is just a mean son of bitch who would survive ANY apocalypse. The other twist (and what might be irking zombie fans who don't want a story with their carnage) is that ZOMBIELAND is a horror flick wrapped around a coming of age film. But don't let that put you off in spite of what you might read elsewhere because ZOMBIELAND has more blood and guts and zombie kills during the credits than most films have in their first hour plus it has a finale of nearly unequaled slaughter, numerical speaking. It also has the most bombastic hero ever to level a shotgun at the walking (or sprinting) dead in the form of Tallahassee, Woody Harrelson in a role that would revive anybodies sagging career. Does it have flaws? Sure it does. For one thing it could have given us more Harrelson but maybe in the end it's better to leave your audience wanting more than to wear out your welcome.

It may not be as clever as FIDO,as consistent as SHAUN OF THE DEAD, or as outrageous as DEAD-ALIVE but this is a pretty damned good flick with some serious laughs, some funny kills, and a zombie slaughtering hero par excellence and you really ought to see it in the theater.

Highly recommended: 4.5 rounded up.

HYPE Level: High and Well Deserved

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"The United States of ZOMBIELAND"...Comedy, Action, Splatterfests and "Twinkies"!!

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a review by woopak_the_thrill

Oct 3, 2009

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Zombies have become such a great delicacy in the horror genre; they have become almost as malleable and adaptive as the vampire when it comes to genre mixing. We’ve seen them in horror, action, comedy and even video games. One would argue that the current winner of the zombie comedy crown is either “Shaun of the Dead” or “Fido”. Director Ruben Fleischer isn’t seeking to reinvent the zombie-comedy-splatter fest with “ZOMBIELAND” but he does get the mechanics and the feel just about right. The film is funny, bloody and full of elements that just screams “cult hit”.

After an unknown disease had wiped out most of the world’s population that turned ordinary humans into cannibalistic creatures, it leaves only a few living survivors that are barely making ends meet. Among them, is a young man who we shall call “Columbus” (Jesse Eisenberg) who has set up his own personal set of rules to help him survive the zombie siege. He meets up with a zombie hunter who we shall call “Tallahassee” (Woody Harrelson) who is just so bad-ass that he enjoys what he does best--kill zombies while looking for “Twinkies”. The two resolve to travel East hoping to find whatever remains of their homes. On the way, they become hindered by a young woman who we shall call “Wichita” (Emma Stone) and her sister “Little Rock” (Abigail Breslin), the two drifters are on their way to visit their beloved theme park in California. The foursome are distrusting at first, but they soon begin to bond and trust each other. This newfound friendship is finally put to the test when zombies lay siege on whatever the four have left.

A scene from "Zombieland."

Hell, what is up with zombies these days? I guess one may say there is just nothing more entertaining than watching zombies get blasted to bits. Fleischer is well aware what exactly he is up against here; it would be extremely difficult to get a 100% original zombie movie but he does manage to get the right materials and elements to charm the gorehound (although I was a bit disappointed with the use of CGI in some scenes), the horror-fan while boosting the gregarious tone of laughs. I would even say that the movie may well be able to win over the non-zombie fan. The movie is just resolute in its aim to entertain and in many ways it does succeed. The movie is just hilarious and kindhearted that even manages to generate its share of shocks.

I guess the film’s charm would have to come from its two main characters. The movie is being narrated by Columbus and once you see the style with which he breaks down his rules (while being accompanied by on-screen typography) you know exactly what you are in for; Rule #1: Cardio, Rule # 2: Double Tap, rule # 3: Beware of bathrooms and so on. The movie is just fun and being narrated by Eisenberg, who sounded very sincere, real and human; it makes the movie easier to connect with. He admits to being a virgin and has a nerdy disposition, the guy is undoubtedly the weakest of the group. The movie is seen through Columbus’ point of view and I thought Eisenberg’s character gave the movie a feeling of warmth and heart.

Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson in "Zombieland."

Tallahassee is the redneck hunter that also has his own set of rules and among them is never become attached and never use real first names; which is why they call themselves though the names of the towns they hail from. Woody Harrelson provides the balance to Eisenberg’s character and some needed friction between the two, The movie comes off strong as we see the exchanges between the two but admittedly, Harrelson becomes the film‘s main draw. The man is just so funny when he needs to be. Emma Stone is also very charming and sexy as the tough Wichita that I was convinced that Columbus could immediately develop a crush on her. The cast is just good as they develop some dynamic chemistry with their characterization coming in the form of flashbacks.

A scene from "Zombieland."

Ok, so just how exactly does the movie perform as a splatter fest? Well, it does perform quite nicely.
I know what you are thinking, a zombie comedy has to have several creative kills of the undead, actually Tallahassee and Columbus calls it “zombie kill of the week”; and you can see that kill in the trailer. The way the zombies are dispatched by our protagonists aren’t really that special but when delivered by Tallahassee, with his raw attitude, humor and intensity; it becomes very cool. The zombies in this movie aren’t your shambling undead in any of Romero’s flicks, but these are the zombies of “28 Days Later”. They are fast-moving and have their own level of minor intelligence.

The script by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese is full of zany, jaw-cracking laughs that can back up its cock-eyed heart. The filmmakers freely admitted that this film was inspired by “Shaun of the Dead” and this horror-comedy is done just right. The direction by Fleischer is obviously going for something a little primeval than just funny, and he uses some tricks with the camera (most notably some slow-motion) to express the gory kills. It is effective, when it shows the innocent being tackled by flesh-eating zombies or the zombies’ brains being splattered; the scenes are just cool to watch. I also liked his choice in the movie’s soundtrack; Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” is so fitting to the film’s look and style.

Jesse Eisenberg and Amber Heard in "Zombieland."

Jesse Eisenberg and Amber Heard in "Zombieland."

Now the movie isn’t perfect, as the screenplay reaches its midpoint in the famous celebrity’s mansion (who also makes a cameo appearance) it becomes rather too formulaic and predictable. I have to say that the film lost some of its fun factor when we see the script fall into the usual trappings of “young love”. It didn’t exactly hurt the film in a way that can’t be recovered, but when it did slow down, it lost some of its comedic footing. I guess its main weakness would be, that while the film generated tons of fun in the form of machine guns, baseball bats, “snowballs”, painting Earnhardt numbers on every stolen vehicle, running down and beating zombies, “Zombieland” doesn’t offer anything very significant in its storyline. I did enjoy the way that the action was taken to a theme park, I thought this was a great way to save the slow points of the film.

While “Zombieland” isn’t the best zombie movie out there but it makes the best of what its got. The movie is witty, fun and very enjoyable. It does lose some gas in the halfway point, but Fleischer knew how to treat the material right. I guess it would be safe to say that “you don’t need any social commentary to make a fun zombie movie“. The film is just cheerfully bloody and visceral, and Fleischer knows how to make a simple premise work…and work very nicely.

Recommended! [3 ½+ Stars]

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The Perfect "Zombie Comedy"

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a review by Crissieo

Jul 16, 2010

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The zombie apocalypse has finally broken out in the USA, and an eccentric college student wonders if he’s the last survivor. On his trek to find his family in Ohio, he stumbles upon another survivor, a no-nonsense tough-guy from Tallahassee. Going against their own rules for survival (stay alone, and don’t get attached) they decide to stick together for part of their journey. They encounter countless zombies, and – possibly more dangerous – two female survivors. This post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world has both perks and inconveniences, which certainly make for an interesting way of life. As this odd group of characters struggle to reach their varied destinations, they begin to wonder if there is something more important that they’ve already found.

I saw this movie under the “Horror” category. In no way is Zombieland a Horror flick. This is a comedy, through and through. Ok, it can be a little gory, I will admit it. But while I’m usually squeamish at such things to the point that I can’t look at the screen, Zombieland somehow had me giggling madly at every silly zombie death. How do they make something so gruesome so hilarious? I have no idea. It’s genius. Just pure genius.

Actually, I might attribute it to a) the chanracters, and b) the soundtrack. The characters are well-designed to be unique, with enough depth to become easily attached to their quirky personalities. The actors play their parts well, and the timing/delivery of their best lines is spot on. The music was also beautifully selected to fit each scene in just the right way. It’s a weird combination of songs, yes, but they seem to fit perfectly.

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So good

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a review by BenCramer

Jul 17, 2010

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A mixed bag of horror, romance, comedy, action flick, and road movie, Zombie land stars Tallahassee and Columbus as an unlikely odd couple who travel through post apocalyptic America, blasting zombies away at every chance they get. Along the way they stumble across Wichita and Little Rock, two devious young women who are as quick as they are ill prepared to deal with a world full ofthe undead.

But of course the four heroes manage to team up and kick-start a road trip to Pacific Playland, mostly because it's reputed to be a zombie-free amusement park, but also because it's important to have a little fun, even during the end of days. But the real fun of Zombieland lies in the journey, simply because the four leads are so great, the premise is so simply appealing, and the tone is unwaveringly amusing.

First timer Fleischer strikes a powerfully strong balance between gross out gags and a consistently humorous approach. Eisenberg and Harrelson achieve an endearing hero/sidekick relationship, Stone and Breslin add a great pinch of spice and sweetness, and the flick as a whole absolutely breezes by on sheer force of wit, color, and craftily mayhem.

Guaranteed to please the horror fans and comedy fans in equal measure, Zombieland is a pitch perfect example of how the horror/comedy combo work out.

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