Zombieland
Nathan Swank
October 12th, 2009
Buckle up! Because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. I’m using Rule #4 in ZOMBIELAND to get this review kicked into gear. This is one of at least thirty-some basic rules that one needs to follow to survive in ZOMBIELAND. Others include: Keeping good cardio, Always double tap (kill your zombie twice for good measure) and Don’t be a hero. I would love to get my hands on the full list but these reoccurring rules are just one element that makes ZOMBIELAND stand out from other films in its genre. Whatever that genre may be. Comedy, Horror, Action, Romance, it’s got them all but first and foremost it is a comedy.
Our narrator is Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), who has managed to survive a zombie-infested world because of his life of nerdy isolation and video games. He is the creator of the rules and soon finds an unlikely companion in Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a zombie butt-kicking maniac with a passion for Twinkies. The two of them team up with a couple of con sisters, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). This rag tag team ban together to survive and destroy Zombieland.
Everyone does an excellent job in this picture but specifically Harrelson, who embodies a crass zombie-bashing fanatic! He is a spit firing good time! The filmmakers deserve a lot of credit not taking their picture too seriously and turning it into dynamite fun. I love the opening credits, which sets the tone perfectly with crazy images of zombies terrorizing people in slow motion while For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica blares. The idea to make zombies less scary and more of a punching bag for humor and destruction is brilliant. Zombies seemed to be treated more like an old car from the small town, traveling fair that you pay a buck to take a couple swings at with a sledgehammer. Don’t get me wrong, the zombies are dangerous if you don’t follow those simple rules and are obviously scary because they are the undead trying to eat you but the laughs will remain with you longer than the terror.
I can’t go without mentioning that the film contains one of the best cameos ever. I don’t want to tell you who it is in case you don’t know, but he’s one of my favorite comedians. I’m already a gushing fan of this comedian and this propelled him to an even higher class if one exists for me.
ZOMBIELAND is an action packed comedy gore fest! And it reminded me to enjoy the little things (Rule #32). I’m running out of explosive turrets ridden adjectives for this film so I will have to end my review now. Blood Spewing Extravaganza!
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