Zombie-land

Directed by: Ruben Fleischer

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg

Genre: Comedy/Horror

Run Time: 87 min.

Release Date: October 2009

On The Web: Official Site

Teaser: Movie Trailer

Reviewed by Byron Merritt

I’m a pretty big RomZomCom fan. Loved SHAUN OF THE DEAD. Thought FIDO was brilliant (kind of mix of Zombies meet PLEASANTVILLE or Lassie). So I was pretty hyped to get a look at ZOMBIELAND.

The premise is really nothing new: Zombies show up. Take over the world. A group of survivors has to make their way through the maze-like brain-eaters on their way to ...somewhere. But this time we get some seriously dysfunctional people who are forced to ban together and become a gun-blazing family. The patriarch of this unusual gathering is none other than Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN) who supposedly lost a puppy that’s caused him to go a bit loco into Zombie slaughtering. He’ll pound ‘em to death with a banjo (while strumming a little ditty from DELIVERANCE ...and you might even catch him saying a few lines from that unique film), cut their heads off with pruning sheers, or just fill them full of lead. The son of this disturbed family is Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg, THE SQUID AND THE WHALE), an introvert shut-in who has difficulty forming human connections because of his excessive nerdiness (think Mountain Dew drinking, World of Warcraft playing loner and you’ll be right on the mark ...literally). Columbus has survived by alienating himself from everyone and everything ...and by creating a laundry list of rules that have helped him stay Zombie-free (Rule #1 – Cardio. Rule #3 – Beware of bathrooms ...which have contributed to Columbus’ irritable bowel problems. The list goes all the way up into the 30s and you can occasionally see the rules placed at varying intervals throughout the movie whenever their usefulness is used within its framework). Columbus and Tallahassee team up as they head across the USA – from East to West – and eventually encounter two scam artist sisters: the lovely Wichita (Emma Stone, SUPERBAD) and her younger sibling Little Rock (Abigail Breslin, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE). The two girls steal the mens guns and transportation only to later meet up and join with them on this cross country trek.

The great thing about Zombieland is that it really isn’t dramatic at all. It is purely comedic, even when you feel they might be heading toward the dramatic. For instance, once Columbus discovers why Tallahassee if really messed up (not because of a dog), the audience is lead to believe there will be this sweet, touching moment. But don’t be foolish! Tallahassee comes up with another one-line zinger that keeps the film’s comedic timing right on track.

The romantic portions of the film are confined to Columbus’ desires to brush Wichita’s hair back over her ear ...and one little kiss. So, again, the comedy just kept coming.

It was also great that the film never went overboard in terms of time. At only 87 minutes in total, the movie moves along at a pace and doesn’t wander in the slightest.

Comparisons between this flick and Shaun of the Dead are already being made (no surprise). They both have their strengths. Shaun of the Dead ruled because it wasn’t one-liners that kept it going, but a continuous montage of comedic events that spilled one on-top of another, and just kept snowballing. But Zombieland has the zingers. The one-liners are excellently placed within the story. My favorite one was "Thank God for rednecks!"

And you can’t not mention Bill Murray, the surprise pseudo-Zombie guest star. His short but extremely funny part was vital to the story (and remember to stay in the theater until after the credits finish rolling for a special treat).

So some might want to weigh which was the better RomZomCom: Shaun of the Dead or Zombieland. But there’s no need. They’re both firmly planted in the genre, and are excellent portrayals in their own comedic right. Enjoy them both. I know I did.
 

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Image from Zombieland

DVD cost: $32.98

Purchase: Tower.com (Blu-Ray)

Film Review Stew Favorite? Yes.

Stew Poo-Poo? No.

Newsworthy: The amusement park scenes were filmed at Wild Adventures Theme Park, located in Valdosta, Ga. There was an open call for locals to play extras for most of the scenes shot at Wild Adventures.

Movie Quote: "The first girl I let into my life and she tries to eat me."

Other Actors/Actresses from Zombieland

Images from Zombieland