Zombieland

 

When I first heard of Zombieland and saw the previews my first reaction is... "I'm not sure if I want to see this."  And then a friend of mine saw it and said, "It's like Shaun of the Dead."  This brings me to my first confession.  I am one of about twelve people in the world who actually didn't like Shaun of the Dead.  There was nothing wrong with it, per se, I just didn't like it much.  So I started thinking, "I'm probably going to dislike this too..."  Yet when it comes to Lunch.com, I trust those who review here.  And let me just say that the reviews written by Christy, Woopak, QUEENBFLIX and Trashcanman made me think that perhaps I should at least give Zombieland a try.  And so I did.  And I'm proud to say I had fun.  Zombieland isn't an ultra serious movie... if the previews didn't tell you that then I would recommend going to see a Doctor immediately. 

The following is an extended preview that's also uncut, but it emphasizes the point... what you see is what you get:

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Zombieland is a Post-Apocalypic world where a virus has turned people into Zombies (bet you didn't see that one coming).  In it there's a young man who tells us just what happened.  He's unnamed, but we know him as Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg).  As the movie begins he's giving us a break down of what he considers to be the four most important rules of surviving in Zombieland. 

Rule 1: Cardio.  For obvious reasons, the fat guys went first.  Because the fat guys just couldn't keep running.  

Rule 2: Double Tap.  Just shooting a zombie isn't enough... just watching him fall to the ground isn't enough.  When in doubt, shoot the head.  In short... kill the bastard a second time!

Rule 3: Beware of Bathrooms.  While this rule you don't see in play nearly as much in the film, it's important to realize that Zombies are lurking everywhere.  And you have to beware bathrooms because you just might be caught with your pants down.

Rule 4: Seatbelts.  When you're getting in the car and driving away from a horde of Zombies... Safety first!

There are more rules.  We're given the idea that there are 33 rules, but you won't learn all of them.  In fact, combined with the film and specific trailers you only learn about fifteen of these rules.  But as the film progresses you're reminded of these rules.  The running gag through the entire movie is the idea of Columbus and those he meets following these rules.  And the reason he's named Columbus?  Or at least why we know him as such?  Because he's on his way to Columbus Ohio.  And as he goes he'll meet another man who is VERY good at being a bad ass.  He's played by Woody Harrelson.  He's come from Tallahassee.  And, yes Tallahassee is so bad ass that pretty soon you'll be seeing "Woody Harrelson Facts."  And yes, he'd totally kick Chuck Norris's ass.  There I said it.  Of course, everyone has their weakness.  And for Tallahassee it's... Twinkies.  No, I'm not kidding.  We learn this when Columbus and Tallahassee stumble upon a hostess truck. 

Upon realizing there are no Twinkies, the two then go to a store and meet two awesome chicks.  One from Witchita (Emma Stone) and one from Little Rock (Abigail Breslin).  The two women are good at what they do, and that's conning people, and they do manage to con Columbus and Tallahassee.  I know... how the hell do you con Woody Harrelson?  After they're conned they find another vehicle and manage to chase after them... only to be conned a second time.  But this time all four will travel together.  The adventure is shortlived.  Being 80 minutes long, Zombieland is just a smidge longer than the movie 9.  Yet it's still filled with quite a bit.  The most of which is laughs.  But you also get flashbacks for the characters to give you a better sense of who they are.  There's not much mystery surrounding them, but it's not as though you're learning a lot either.  Nevertheless, the entire cast of characters is quite likeable and funny.  Bill Murray also shows up to give a cameo and he gives some huge laughs as well.  There's not much to Zombieland at all.  It's got a small cast, a simple story and is filled with plenty of laughs.  Woody Harrelson in particular looks as though he's having fun in every scene.

This is what you should be doing as you sit and watch.  This is a comedy, not some horror movie in which you're wondering about who will live and who will die.  And yet, ironically we DO fear for the characters. 

Zombieland isn't scary.  It's bloody and gory, though and pretty violent.  That earns it some points in my book.  If there was any complaint I had with Zombieland it would probably be that the movie was just too damn short.  Which means, unfortunately, we don't get to see nearly as many zombies killed as we'd like.  The final moments are very fun, but there's a moment where the movie actually slows down with the fun.  In fact, some of Zombielands weakest moments were the moments when the film was being somewhat serious. 

There's no reason anyone should actually have their expectations up for Zombieland.  You are very much getting what you saw in the previews, but there is a little bit more to it than simply killing zombies.  In fact, the movie even manages to throw in a couple of emotional moments.  As I said, though, these are actually some of Zombielands weaker moments.  They're not all weak (what few of them there are) but you are dealing with characters who are given a quick backstory and the movie isn't long enough to compensate their growth.  You'll still like the characters, but it's to say the movie moves at such a quick pace that really getting to know them isn't going to happen.  But you do learn the important stuff... enough to actually understand them.  We learn why Witchita and Little Rock are con girls, we learn why Tallahasseee is willing to throw himself into any danger and through Columbus we get an idea of how it spread in the first place (though how it all started is still rather vague). 

Zombieland, of course, does have pitfalls.  I already talked briefly about the characters, but one thing that has to be touched on is that Zombieland is pretty darn predictable.  That's not always such a bad thing, but every character falls into the same old role.  There's the typical badass, the nerdy guy who wants a girl and the girl who shouldn't be into him at all but totally is (not to mention someone is always traveling with a child survivor).  None of this detracts from the fun, but it's impossible not to notice.  I already talked about how it slows down as well, but it never hurts to mention that while it's slowing down, the reason you're not having much fun is actually because no Zombies are getting killed or anything during these moment.

So is Zombieland fun?  Yes.  Aboslutely.  If you like blood, gore, zombies and just want to laugh out loud, Zombieland is a blast.  If you're actually expecting a scary horror movie... I once again ask you to go see your Doctor immediately.  This is one moment where the previews aren't lying at all.  What you see is what you're going to get.  There IS more to it, but expecting a horror movie is almost like expecting a Big Mac at McDonald's to taste like a salad.  This is a comedy through and through.

With that in mind, it's a safe bet that Zombieland will become a cult classic among fans.  It's definitely not for everyone (like Shaun of the Dead isn't for everyone), but if you want to have some fun... saddle up and get a ticket to Zombieland.  It's worth the price of admission.

Enjoy the ride.

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind a horror comedy. In fact, some of them are relatively good in that annoyingly yet infectious way which usually spells out "instant cult classic" to most moviegoers. Biozombie perhaps would be the best example of a zomedy film that actually doesn't suck & pre-dates Shaun Of The Dead. I had relatively high hopes for Zombieland initially.

Surprisingly, the opening scenes of Zombieland sold me although I can't say the rest of the film holds much interest. The rules given by our lead protagonist were clever enough & oddly promising even though it would suffice to say Jesse Eisenberg has played the same character in virtually every film he's ever made. Eisenberg may have some acting skills (albeit limited) but I've yet to see a film where his talents are truly showcased. Having said that, his rules on how to survive in a zombie wasteland are "some kind of awesome" yet I can't help but wish someone else had delivered them.

On the other hand, Woody Harrelson is an unpredictable actor & can crank out a helluva performance yet somehow his cowboy character here is barely more than a parody of his not-so great past works. Sure, his one-liners are kinda cute & drip with wit occasionally but nothing here would merit any comparisons to the kind of dialog Tarantino, Rodriguez, or even Zombie would've written. Poor Woody. He deserves more work (or better and meatier roles) but it's doubtful that Zombieland will keep his name on the map for very long. Within a year's time, no one will care about this movie & Harrelson's performance would have been long forgotten.

I can't seem speak for Emma Stone at this point as I've yet to see of her work but I'll admit that I've never been a fan of Abigail Breslin. To take that a notch further, I usually tend to avoid her films so naturally the film disintegrates rather quickly once her screen presence is detected. Sad but true.

To say that Zombieland doesn't have it's shining moments would be about like saying that a bear doesn't sh it in the woods. On the other hand, there is nothing truly original here nor exciting enough to warrant multiple viewings. A cowboy in search of the last shrink-wrapped Hostess twinky is all fine & well but I daresay this is not knee-slapping funny by any means. Or a geeky if not too precious teenager who seems to have little success finding dates or girls who are attracted to him especially during a zombie epidemic seems rather trifling.

Perhaps the most interesting segment or montage that Zombieland has to offer is the cameo appearance of our beloved master of comedy Bill Murray. Murray is, indeed, a charming actor although he alone cannot save this film from being the preposterous mess that it truly is. Having said that, the bit part given here was indeed a step in the right direction. Maybe he'll be recast in Zombieland 2?

Zombieland will appeal to your casual film goers who require very little story, rehashes of better zomedies, & characters that aren't credible. If you're looking for something different or original, you won't find it here folks.

If I had actually watched the entire movie, my rating would surely be negative. But since I watched the movie with a friend kind enough to cover my eyes every time some gory attack or dismembering or blood spurting occurred, I moderately enjoyed the movie. In fact, as far as I know, one out of every four scenes was the back of someone's hand.

Between the scenes of the undead creating more carnage, there were some genuinely clever and entertaining moments. There weren't enough to put this on my must-have DVD list, but I don't hate my friend for picking it.

3 Things I Didn't Like About Zombieland:
- Blood
- Gore
- Framing the story with rules about surviving Zombieland

3 Things I Liked About Zombieland:
- Bill Murray
- It had a message about humanity, but didn't care if you actually thought about it
- Los Angeles without traffic

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.

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.

 Step right up, folks! Don’t miss your opportunity to visit the one and only Zombieland! See! the amazing traveling zombie-killers Tallahassee and Columbus! Witness! the beguiling sibling con artists, Wichita and Little Rock! Marvel! at the last famous person on Earth, Bill Murray! Watch! in horror as the undead walk and ooze assorted unidentifiable bodily fluids…

In the near future, a virus will sweep the world, turning almost everyone into flesh-eating, undead monsters with lightning reflexes and ravenous appetites. Civilization has collapsed, and very few living humans remain. Some things, however, never change: Murray is still at the top of the Hollywood food chain, and still insouciant. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg; Adventureland) is one of the few survivors – mainly because he has always been a skittish germophobe and budding recluse. Columbus adheres to a rigid set of rules, apparently derived from horror movie clichés, which has kept him alive. (Rule No. 31: Always check the back seat. Rule No. 17: Don’t be a hero.) He runs into Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who is the Steve McQueen of zombie-killers: bloodlessly efficient and almost too cool for words. Tallahassee’s only weakness is a mad craving for Twinkies. The corpse-grinding guys meet their match in a pair of sisters dubbed Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), who survive on a wicked mix of brains and sex appeal. The boys just cannot stop underestimating them and falling for their cons. Complications inevitably arise when the group’s “every man for himself” ethos – the characters are designated by hometowns rather than names to keep each other at arm’s length – collides with simple human concern for one another.

Under the surprisingly assured hand of first-time director Ruben Fleischer, the movie has a free-wheeling sense of fun, as if the-powers-that-be really thought about the positives of living in a world conquered by the undead. The loose camerawork and editing — packed with slow-motion and ingeniously skewed angles – translate into a breezy pace that makes the business of stomping zombie ass look like an adventure and almost noble. The idea that all bets are off after the fall of civilization finds its ultimate expression in a liberating scene in which the characters destroy a kitschy souvenir store like rock stars on a bender. When there are no rules, why not turn the dump over? Then again, if there are no rules, what’s the point of violating norms? When the mice play, does it really count if the cat is dead? Wichita and Little Rock convince the boys to accompany them to Pacific Playland (a generic stand-in for the playground of a certain corporate mouse), because they believe the amusement park is a zombie-free zone. It also symbolizes the 12-year-old’s vanished childhood — lost, along with the rest of society, to the undead plague. Of course the supremely confident girls sneak off to enter the park alone, and the facility proves much more challenging than anticipated. And certain characters learn hard lessons about why Columbus keeps that little notebook full of survival rules. (And it ain’t because rules are made to be broken!)

Although this is an R-rated movie about the undead,Zombieland resists getting bogged down in gore, preferring to revel in disgusting use of unspecified, multi-hued ooze streaming from the orifices of the undead. Most of the more extreme violent moments – like dispatching a zombie with garden shears — are implied rather than actually depicted, however, the monsters do shred and eat flesh oncamera. This is not the kind of movie that demands a lot of acting nuance, but the performers do their best to make you root for their characters to survive. Columbus is the most…er, fleshed out, as Eisenberg avoids the easy pitfalls of playing nerds by depicting him more as a misunderstood regular guy. Harrelson’s Tallahassee is only too happy to learn that he is a natural-born killer of zombies with a zest for revenge against the abominations. As the treacherous sisters, Stone (Superbad) and Breslin sparkle as more than mere foils for the boys. Stone resists simply filling the role of love interest, while it’s easy to picture Little Rock as an older version of Little Miss Sunshine’s overachieving Olive.

There’s something very appropriate about a movie featuring brain-eating monsters being perfectly mindless, but it is also totally enjoyable and strangely full of heart.

Alright, your thinking this is going to be a really dumb movie with Zombies and people running from them the whole time. right? Well its not your typical Zombie movie starring Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Bresin, and Bill Murray. Narrating some of the movie before he first see's signs of the Zombies and then after that he has made a set of rules to follow not to be killed by the Zombies and to live by. Meeting up with Harrelson and later meeting up with Stone which you probably remember her from Ghosts of Girlfriends Past lately. Also you can't forget Bresin who is taking on bigger roles and soon will be up to speed with Dakota Fanning even though we know they aren't the same age of course. You might remember Jessie Eisenberg from the movie Adventureland not too long ago and your thinking Zombieland, Adventureland. Is this kid going to be in all the movies ending in land. Not to sure on that but he is the main character in this movie as he was in Adventureland. I know you may think this might be kinda cheesy here, but once you get into it you will get that it is not really a waste of time. Eisenberg is a lot like Michael Cera in such that he has little lines throughout the movie, but with Eisenberg he kinda has a twitch to himself which you can see throughout the movie. I’m guessing Eisenberg will take on roles Cera won't and hopefully grow in his acting career. Stone does a great job in this movie and I'm interested to see what she will star in next. I've enjoyed these young actors in this movie and they will only get better and have bigger roles to take on in the future.

Zombieland is a mediocre movie filled with flat humor and dialog that sounds as if it was written by an 8th grader.  The only thing that saves this movie from being a straight out stinker is Woody Harrelson but other than that it's just a dud.  I didn't care for the protagonist, the so called "zombies", the silly "rules" or the two female characters.  They're so annoying that I was wishing that the infected would kill them.  The filmmakers tried too hard to be funny and when that happens it always end up pear shaped.  I was expecting something entertaining, maybe in the vein of Brain-Dead or Shaun of the Dead.  Perhaps I was asking too much.  I have seen DTV movies that work a lot better than this.  I just wasn't buying into anything the director was selling.  The movie didn't work as either a horror film or a comedy.

The dialog was bad.  I mean an adolescent must have wrote it.  I didn't care for the pop culture references and the "hipness" of it.  The overuse of movie titles, rehashing dumb cliches and the forcefulness of the situations was too clunky for me.  The movie was obviously aimed for the late teen crowd because they're the only ones who will buy into this mediocre film and will think it's "cool".  Real fans of zombie movies will not be amused by it.  What I really can't stand are the "zombies".  These are not the classic kind but the ones from Demons or 28 Days Later.  They can run (I guess being infected gives you superhuman endurance and speed) and leap obstacles in a single bound.

The direction was flat.  I didn't like the way the scenes flowed or the way the action moved along.  One minutes it's like a music video and the next it plods around slooowly....  The big action set pieces seem like a pastiche of action movies.  I know logic has no place in a horror movie but Wichita gets off like two dozen rounds out of her shotgun but doesn't reload once and when she's in a real pinch, she's OUT of shells.  Another scene that sticks out is when Tallahassee is shooting through the grate that surrounds that carny stand.  There is no way he can shoot out through it without killing or severely maiming himself.

Last but not least is the big "cameo".  It's no surprise if you have seen the credit list.  Bill Murray playing himself hiding out in his "mansion" out in Beverly Hills.  Bill hasn't had a hit in years and I doubt he's still living the life (maybe the "high" life) like the way he did during his heyday in the 80's.  He appears "wearing" zombie makeup and blending in with the rest of the dead.  But truth be told if you read the celebrity blogs, he looks like that after hanging out at one frat party too many (that's another story).  He really does play himself, hung over and shuffling around in a daze.

Overall, I wouldn't pay to watch this movie.  Maybe when it hits CineMax in a few months or when you can rent it for a dollar at RedBox.  If you love Shaun of the Dead (Yes I am comparing it to this movie because that's how the studio is marketing it) then you will not care for this one.  But if you love the teen comedy crap that Hollywood seems to be churning out then you'll definitely want to see it.  Light on gore but heavy on bore and snore.

addendum: This film does not work as a post apocalypse one as well. I mean electricity working after the collapse of society? Besides the protagonist wouldn't last more than a few hours.  He would have either starved to death or killed by a pack of scavengers or "zombies".  By he way I have seen better zombie/dark comedies at Hollywood video, DTV has a lot of hidden gems and I suggest you check some out.  You'll run into a lot of bad stuff but their are a few good ones that are a lot funnier and more imaginative than this tripe.

Is Zombieland fun? Yes. Aboslutely. If you like blood, gore, zombies and just want to laugh out loud, Zombieland is a blast. If you're actually expecting a scary horror movie... I once again ask you to go see your Doctor immediately. This is one moment where the previews aren't lying at all. What you see is what you're going to get. There IS more to it, but expecting a horror movie is almost like expecting a Big Mac at McDonald's to taste like a salad. This is a comedy through and through.

Best horror/comedy I have seen. Woody Harrelson and Billy Murray are priceless and I was relieved the nuerotic whiney guy was not played by Michael Cera. He must have been busy making another movie with an overly-quirky motor-mouthed female lead and too much indie music when they were filming this.

Zombie humor is fantastic. Woody Harrelson really makes the movie

A deathly good time; Woody Harrelson is amazing and the "tips" throughout the movie totally make it. Bill Murray as himself is outstanding.

A funny take on a typical Zombie film. It was really fun to watch. I cant wait for the sequel :)

Funny movie for sure. Loved the cast of actors and having a sequel to this movie would be great too. *hint

No matter where Woody Harrelson's career has taken him, Zombieland will probably go down as one of the funniest movies he has ever been in.  If you're a zombie lover and a fan of comedy, then you're going to love this goretastic film.  With a comfortable mix of blood, guts and comedy, Zombieland offers a fun time for any movie goer.  As the "zombie" genre keeps gaining momentum, the film is a fine addition to others in its class like Shaun of the Dead and Fido.  I think filmmakers finally realized that they could make more money off comedic gore than more serious toned films like 28 Days Later and I Am Legend. and Zombieland proves that. 

Like in most Zombie films, a worldwide epidemic effects the mass populus of the world.  One of the survivors, only known as "Columbus", comes up with a list of rules to follow, almost like a survivors guide.  Some of these rules include 'Cardio", "Beware of Bathrooms" and the "Double Tap".  When Columbus meets "Tallahassee", a man who takes a lot of pride in his zombie kills, the two reluctantly team up to up their chances of survival.  Later, while stopping for twinkies, Tallahassee and Columbus come across two sisters, "Wichita" and "Little Rock" who, much to their surprise, hold them up for their truck and guns.  When they meet up again, the also reluctantly team up.  Now on their way to Pacific Playland in LA, a place supposedly untouched by the Zombie scourge, this rag tag group will fight their way there, while also allowing a little fun in between.

Don't take Zombieland seriously, because the film doesn't.  That's why it was such a fun movie to see.  Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg are hilarious together as is Little Rock played by Abigail Breslin who is just a 13 year old girl.  Zombieland is successful due to a lot of cheap pops like a little old lady dropping a piano on a zombie to get the "Zombie Kill of the Week".  On top of that, there is a great cameo by a certain somebody that everyone will just go hysterical over.  The truly best parts of Zombieland come from Columbus' list of rules for zombie survival.  Throughout the movie, these little rules will pop up when ever they are referenced.  While the writing won't get nominated for any awards, the dialogue in the film is witty and fun, as are the awesome zombie kills.

There are two things I will say to movie goers.  One, if you know you don't like gore, than don't buy a damned movie ticket to a film called Zombieland!  If the title of the movie doesn't give you a hint, you need some help.  There were way too many people in the theater complaining about that.  Second, don't take your child to see the movie!  Are you serious?  Z-O-M-B-I-E-L-A-N-D!  This is a movie for teens and adults.  If you are not in this demographic of people, than enjoy the film, I know I did.  It almost makes me want to be a zombie so I could... nevermind.  See Zombieland, it's a wicked good time!  5/5!

Go Woody i love this movie i can watch this over and over you will enjoy this horror with a splash of comedy

I like Jesse Eisenberg way better than Michael Cera. So there.

meh, mostly boring with a few pretty funny lines by Woody Harrelson mixed in. surely there r better uses of 2 hrs of ur life. no real point

Dark Comedy at it's finest.

Fast and furious zomedy that offers some good kills and even better laughs.

Absolute, comedic, Zombie Fun! This is probably one of the funniest movies I have ever seen! Full review to follow!

Zombieland appeals to its audience in various shades and shapes. Another cinematic 'What You See Is What You Get'! Tell it to the birds!!