Jesse Esienberg: Columbus
Woody Harrelson: Tallahassee
Emma Stone:Wichita
Abigail Breslin: Little Rock
Bill Murray: Himself

Release Date: October 2nd, 2009
Studio: Relativity Media /
Pariah / Sony Films
Genre: Comedy / Horror
Rated: R      1 hr 21 mins

CAST:

Zombies have finally got enough mainstream attention that Hollywood has decided to release the first straight up zombie comedy with Zombieland. No boundaries have been pushed, no debates on the traversing speed of zombies settled, there's plenty of gore, gags, hip in-jokes and even romance in this world.

Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg, Adventureland), the nerdy narrator and quirky, fearful hero is on his way to Ohio. On his heels and all about are what is left of the USA, a post-apocalyptic burnt out shell now referred to as Zombieland.  With endless drooling ghouls in tow, Columbus meets the pure redneck fury of Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) on a Texas freeway. With his endless rules of survival in place, Columbus hitches a ride and hopes to head back East to catch up with is family while Tallahassee makes endless stops in search of Twinkies. One such stop finds the un-dynamic duo meeting sexy Wichita (Emma Stone, Superbad, The House Bunny) and her little sister, Little Rock (Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine). Upon being scammed out of their vehicle by the two girls the road trip begins. The pair catches up with the girls and they decide to head to Pacific Playland in California because it is supposedly zombie-free.

Basically a road trip comedy in a horror setting, Zombieland does have enough of its own quirks to keep things exciting and ultimately funny. Things take a turn for the zany when Bill Murray shows up as himself at the halfway point. And up until the amusement park finally, Zombieland is a fun, goofy thrill ride. What makes it work so well is the characters are not out to save the world or just survive. They are out there among the undead to enjoy the little things in life. Also the chemistry among the group is very believable. Harrelson is great as the untamed redneck and Eisenberg plays the nerd perfectly. Stone successfully chews up the scenery with her punky attitude and pouty looks while Breslin is great as the innocent yet tough little sister. 

However, cult zombie fanatics and horror hounds may be a little disappointed as Zombieland could be seen as too hip at times and aimed at too wide of an audience at others. But the fact that anyone with a cursory knowledge of the stumbling undead can find plenty to love is one of the film's strengths. At the end, when this cinematic amusement ride is over it makes for a great date flick or those that want a zombie film that isn't disappointing direct-to-DVD nonsense. Zombieland isn't fantastic but it's plenty of fun and a good comedy that doesn't skimp on genre expectations - both comedy and horror.  Recommended.

Zombieland

October 2, 2009

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

DIRECTOR:

Ruben Fleischer

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