Zombieland

This Comedy/Horror has been called the American version of Shaun of the Dead, and the director has admitted to being inspired by the 2004 film. Its true it does have similarities, but one could hardly compare the groundbreaking, genre bending thoughts of Shaun to this broad movie. Zombieland does however, manage to maintain a high level of comedy throughout, while still being a good watch for horror fans. It isn’t a scare-fest, but if you are looking for a few well planned ’jumps’, some great special effects and blood spurts, along with a healthy dose of comedy, this movie is one to watch.
It begins with the listing of four basic rules people should adhere to if they are to survive a zombie attack, and how our narrator came up with these rules. We meet our self described ‘loner’ (Jesse Eisenberg, Adventureland) while on his way from his college dorm in Austin, Texas to Columbus, Ohio. He soon teams up with Twinkie obsessed Tallahassee (in a movie where your name is where your heading, you don’t want to get too familiar!) and once the narrator has been baptised ‘Columbus’ they are soon heading East together. Through flashbacks and interaction with his new-found friend, we learn Columbus is looking for someone to love. He has always wanted to brush a girls’ hair behind their ear, and though he thought he found the one in his next door neighbour, when she turned into a zombie in the morning, he kept on looking! They soon team up with two sisters on their way to a Theme park in California. Wichita’s little sister, Little Rock, wants a chance to be a kid- a hard thing to be, growing up in Zombieland. When Columbus finds out his home town has burnt to the ground, he takes a second look and Wichita (Emma Stone, Superbad) and decides to stay with them. Overall the movie is pretty predictable, a good watch with a predictable plot. What is great, however, is the twist that these zombies are smart. They learn how to open doors, when humans are most vulnerable (toilet time- rule number 3) and they sprint instead of slowly limping towards their victims, which is a rarity in the traditional zombie movie.
Columbus’ decision to educate Little Rock to the career of Bill Murray produces the typical hilariously dry humour many will grown to love from newbie Eisenberg, “Oh this is so exciting, your about to learn who they’re gonna call….Ghostbusters.”
Gratuitous swears and a thinly developed plot hold this film back, but Woody Harrelson and some amazingly timed jokes make it enjoyable. Yes its cheesy, but have you never wanted to see Charlie Chaplin as a Zombie, or stay in Bill Murray’s mansion!
Rating: 6/10