Zombieland (2009) - Film Review
Harrelson, Eisenberg, & Breslin Star in this Hilarious Dark Comedy
Oct 3, 2009
Zombie movies have come along way since the original works of George A. Romero. Zombies got quicker, smarter, stronger, and gorier. In Columbia Pictures' Zombieland, however, they become something more – funnier. By no means a horror film, Zombieland is a smart, laugh-out-loud comedy about survival in a zombie-laden America.
Sure, Zombieland isn't the first of its kind. Peter Jackson's Dead Alive, billed as the goriest film of all time and probably earning that dubious distinction, is gross-out funny. The Simon Pegg-starring Shaun of the Dead is British-funny. And who (besides everybody) could forget the Steve Buscemi blockbuster, Ed and His Dead Mother?
But Zombieland, directed by Ruben Fleischer, is American, smash-mouth, in-your-face, darkly offensive-funny. This is not surprising given the movie's tagline, "Nut up or shut up." In short, it's perfect entertainment for the whole family, if that family consists only of individuals who are old enough to see a rated R movie and who enjoy dark humor.
The Story of Zombieland Is Full of Life Lessons for Those who Find Themselves Trapped in, Well, a Land of Zombies
Zombieland begins with narration by the film's main protagonist, Columbus, played by Jesse Eisenberg (Roger Dodger, The Squid and the Whale, Adventureland). Columbus explains how he survives in a virus-spawned zombie apocalypse. He lives by rules and doesn't take chances, a far cry different from the companion he makes early on his way home to determine his parents' fate. His companion, Tallahassee, is played by Woody Harrelson (Natural Born Killers, The People vs. Larry Flint, Kingpin). Tallahassee's sole ambition is to find the last Twinkie on earth, and if he has to kill hundreds of zombies in the process of finding it, so be it.
It is Tallahassee's Twinkie quest that brings the duo into contact with sisters Wichita and Little Rock, played by Emma Stone (Drive, Superbad, The Rocker) and Abigail Breslin (Signs, Little Miss Sunshine, Nim's Island), respectively. The sisters outsmart Tallahassee and Columbus, conning them out of their guns and vehicles not once but twice.
Eventually, the boys and girls put aside their differences and travel together to Pacific Playland, an amusement park in California that is allegedly zombie-free. On their way they search for Twinkies, kill (re-kill?) some zombies, and have a hilarious run-in with Bill Murray (Ghostbusters, What About Bob?, Lost in Translation), who plays himself. The finale takes place at Pacific Playland, which, as one might expect, gets overrun by the undead.
Harrelson, Eisenberg, Stone, Breslin, and Murray Each Add to Zombieland's Overall Quality
Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Bill Murray, basically all the non-zombie roles in the film that last more than a few seconds, constitute a crew that is pure casting genius. Harrelson fully convinces as the no-nonsense, angst-filled zombie slayer, Tallahassee. Eisenberg shines as the irritable-boweled, shut-in with dry, Michael Cera-ish witty witlessness, Columbus. Stone performs solidly as the sly, mysterious Wichita. Breslin is stellar as the kid forced to be an adult before she could enjoy childhood. And Bill Murray? Let's just say that no one could have played the part better than comic genius Bill Murray, and that's not just because he played himself.
Fleischer's Take on Zombie Comedy is Top-Notch
Director Rubin Fleischer captures the audience's interest from scene one. Eisenberg's narration, mixed with scenes of what not to do if one wishes to survive a zombie infestation, grabs one's attention with darkly humorous ingenuity. Centering the story on Eisenberg's character was the right choice, as he is the unlikely hero and victim of circumstances. The plot moves along smoothly, with comedy and action in every scene. The pace slows a bit with two character-developing lulls after the sisters arrive. Then it's back to all-out comedy with Bill Murray and full-throttle action at Pacific Playland.
Overall, the film isn't perfect, but it is exceptional for its genre. It likely won't get heavy, if any, recognition by the Academy, but audiences seem to disagree. Constant laughter coming from a movie theater is a sure sign of a hit in the making. For those seeking an experience filled with a homogeneous mix of laughter, thrills, and horror, Zombieland is sure to satisfy.
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