Zombieland Review – Undead and Loving It!

by E-G October 9, 2009

I wasn’t too sure if I was going to like Zombieland, I just knew I had to see it. How often are big budget end-of-the-world zombie movies made, much less zombie comedies? The last I can remember that I actually enjoyed was Shaun of the Dead, so I headed to the Graumann’s Chinese Theater with middling expectations (and got a pleasant surprise for seeing it there. Here’s a spoiler.). When I walked out though, I was so happy I had made the trip.

Zombieland takes place after a zombie uprising; everybody’s dead except for a handful of survivors that go by their city names (Columbus, Tallahassee, you get the picture) because real names are too personal in a world where you may get eaten in the next minute. The movie revolves around Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg out-Ceraing Michael Cera) and Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson, in one of his best roles!) as they try to survive after running into two untrustworthy sisters (Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone). While inundated with gore and gruesomeness, there’s a lot of laughs to be had in the ridiculousness of what’s going on, and the clever banter between its characters.

From the introductory title sequence that ushers in the end of the world in slo mo to the overlayed titles that list off Columbus’ “zombie rulebook”, Zombieland is full of wit, as well as charm. I admit, I’m a bit biased as I dig zombie movies but this is not the “thinking man’s” Dawn of the Dead. There’s all sorts of goofy things that go on, but you have to check the realist at the door and just strap yourself in for some laughs and one awesome surprise.

If you haven’t seen it yet and think you can handle the horror, by all means get your butt to Zombieland. It’s not scary at all, especially compared to the terrifying Paranormal Activity, and will be talked about for years to come. Here’s hoping for Zombieland 2!

BTW, I was so excited that I actually decided to zombify myself. You can too by checking out Zombify-Yourself.net.