Just in time for the Halloween season scare-fest, ìZombieland,” good readers, is a perfect combination of both comedy and horror. As someone who enjoys a good scary movie or comedy once in a while, the film exhibits some of the best qualities from both genres, which, once combined, make a delicious Reesesí Peanut Butter Cup of a movie. (Oh, you got your funny movie in my zombie flick! You got your zombie flick in my comedy!)
The film starts off with Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a youthful college student from Texas, narrating the state of the world after the outbreak of a highly infectious zombie disease. After an unfortunate run-in with an infected dorm resident, Columbus decides to head on back to Columbus, Ohio to see if his parents are still alive. It should be said that as a character, Columbus is in the running to win the Most Unlikely Hero of the Century award. While scrawny and jittery, Columbus survives† Zombieland through his Rules which literally pop up as the movie progresses.
In his wandering, Columbus eventually crosses paths with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who ends up being the epitome of a lone ranger in this zombie-filled apocolypse. While Columbus is driven to find his remaining relatives, Tallahassee is a man on a mission. A simple, cream-filled mission. Kill zombies and find a Twinkie. Thatís right, Twinkie. After an impressive display of redneck zombie smashing in a grocery store, the unlikely duo come across Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) and in a series of unfortunate events, become targets for the ladiesí unorthodox, albeit impressive means of survival.†After several more encounters with the female con artists, the four characters join together, trying to increase their chances of survival amid the ravenous hordes in Zombieland.
ìZombieland” is another cinematic success in the recent line of zom-com movies, influenced primarily by cult classics such as ìArmy of Darkness” and ìShaun of the Dead.”
Though a little on the graphic side, (The opening credits are pretty intense), the movie makes up with stunning camera work and clever use of typography throughout to reinforce Columbusí Rules of living in Zombieland. One of the perks of the movie is the length. Clocking in at 81 minutes, the movie is long enough to be enjoyable, but just short enough to not hurt your butt.
Impressive camera angles and make-up are not the only reason this movie became a blockbuster. At heart, the movie is a genre buster. A romantic subplot between Wichita and Columbus? I think so! Violence that only a zombie flick could do justice to? Yes indeed! A surprise cameo? You can bet your Milk Duds on it.
Overall, the film is an impressive and refreshing combination of comedy, action, horror and even a little romance. Touching and traumatizing at the same time, if you get the chance, I highly suggest the movie ìZombieland.”