Zombieland Delivers Action, Gore, and Plenty of Laughs

Set in a stereotypical zombie-infested post-apocalyptic wasteland, Zombieland follows a group of survivors with severe trust issues. Referring to one another by city names, the unlikely group heads off across the country.

The film’s protagonist, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), is on a journey back home to search for his parents. The socially awkward youth has thus far managed to endure his hostile situation by a strict adherence to his list of survival rules. These rules are used to great comedic effect as they periodically appear as text on the screen.

By chance, our hero meets the loner Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who reluctantly agrees to allow the cowardly Columbus to hitch a ride with him. Tallahassee is a likeable good-old-boy with a penchant for zombie killing. Not only is he good at it, he revels in it; often forsaking his gun for more personal and unconventional weapons such as a banjo or a bat. In fact, Tallahassee’s unnatural love of zombie killing is matched only by his devotion to locating the last of the Twinkies. Apparently in Zombieland, the tiny snack cakes are more elusive than survivors.

Much to the chagrin of Tallahassee, the duo soon comes across sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). In an attempt to provide her younger sister with a “normal” childhood experience, Wichita decides to take spunky Little Rock to Pacific Playland, an amusement park on the West Coast. The park seems to hold a sort of mystic connotation to the girls, similar to Tallahassee’s quest for Twinkies. In Wichita’s mind, if the girls can only get to Pacific Playland their situation will improve.

The group sets off for California under less than desirable circumstances, and hilarity and mayhem ensue. As the name suggests, a portion of the film involves the cast amidst a hoard of zombies in an abandoned amusement park. This segment is, of course, the most ridiculous. Rides spring to life at beneficial times, zombies situate themselves atop rollercoasters, and pursued characters leap on to moving rides with advantageous results. While this may seem absurd, how else would Woody Harrelson get to shoot zombies while riding a rollercoaster?

Zombieland is easily the funniest movie I have had the joy of seeing in a long time. Barring a couple comedic lulls, the movie is brimming with laugh-out-loud moments. The first 15 minutes in particular is just one laugh after another.

There is a magnificent cameo that alone justifies the price of the admission. Without giving away too much, let it suffice to say that the actor’s mere presence was enough to cause the entire theater to burst into laugher.

The opening credits should also be noted for their originality. Setting the tone of an entire movie while simultaneously bombarding the viewer with production credits presents a daunting task, to be sure. Thankfully, Zombieland delivers. The film opens with a plethora of imaginative, slow-motion, side-splitting, zombie chase sequences. The credits are, unquestionably, one of the most hilarious segments of the entire movie.

The film’s tiny cast performs wonderfully. Eisenberg’s portrayal of the awkward Columbus, pairs perfectly with Harrelson’s over-the-top deliveries. I honestly can’t say a single bad thing about any of the quartet’s performances. The character interaction, as well its acting, is natural and engaging. The group’s chemistry is a refreshing break from the stale, mechanical acting that permeates many comedies.

An incredibly satisfying movie, ‘Zombieland’ does not disappoint.

A Pariah Production

Directed by Ruben Fleischer

Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin

Rated for horror violence/gore and language

4 out of 5 stars

(originally published in AASU’s Inkwell)

Tags: Movie Review, Woody Harrelson, Zombieland, Zombies