Zombieland Review

Zombieland isn’t much of a horror movie. There are some really good scares in the first few scenes. It’s set in a world that has been devastated by zombies (but not, I think, the undead. These zombies seem to be much more like the Rage-infected types from 28 Days Later and less like the ghouls of George A. Romero's films). But if you're hoping for a really gory, juicy, splatter zombie movie, look elsewhere, because what you get here is a funny, smart, all-action packed zombie comedy that nearly puts ‘Shaun of the Dead’ to shame.

Zombieland focuses on two main survivors of the apocalyptic world. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) and Tallahassee, played by Woody Harrelson, are both on their separate adventures when they form an unlikely team and help each other survive until they reach their point of ‘safety’.  With over-the-top killing and decapitating on the way, the journey soon becomes the least of their worries. The comical pair, believing that they are the only survivors in the state, makes their own rules. However, this soon turns upside down when they run into a scamming deadly duo. Emma Stone is the dull, grouchy mother-figure to her younger sister Abigail Breslin, who plays an overly tough young teenager with attitude. Breslin seems to make the role her own, which unfortunately turns into yet another irritating teen character on screen. As their coincidental encounters become more frequent and the scamming sisters consistently come out on top, the two pairs quickly form a happy family with an obvious love interest building between Columbus and Emma Stones role Wichita. The new Walton’s-to-be set off in search of surviving civilization.

This film perfects and delivers on humour as it doesn’t try to do what every other ‘zom-com’ has done in the past; finding a cure/reason for the destruction of its world. It’s based on what characters have and are doing to deal with the more bothersome rather than gruesome problem. Zombieland is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud in the cinema, NOT scream with fear. This zombie film definitely gives ‘Shaun of the Dead’ a run for its money. The storyline isn’t too pretentiously serious and it sticks to what we love, like how blood and guts stick to the wall. To add to the film’s unique style a surprising yet welcomed cameo works effectively in creating a never-before-seen ‘zom-com’. Mark my words, this is no ’28 days later’. 

Zombieland was released Oct 2nd 2009 and stars Wood Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Bresnlin and Directed by Ruben Fleischer