Zombies are common now in cinema. They are the most overused movie monsters and they are becoming difficult to reinvent in possible ways.
Slow moving zombies have evolved into running undead, but they still have one simple task: feasting on flesh. "28 Days Later" seemed to reinvent the genre, while "Shaun of the Dead" became the cornerstone of zombie comedy. This weekend "Zombieland" infuses those two styles into a fun romp through a country overrun with zombies.
Cleveland (Jesse Eisenberg from "Adventureland") narrates the adventure across the United States of Zombieland. Very few humans are left alive after an infection created a nation of zombies. He manages to survive by following a list of rules that pop up on screen at various times. He meets up with a cowboy named Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), and they begin a trek across the country to find a Twinkie. Along the way they run across a few more survivors. Wichita and Little Rock are played by the lovely Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, respectively. This ragtag band of survivors road trip to California to seek out a place untouched by the apocalypse: Pacific Playland. Their journey brings them together and helps Cleveland grow comfortable with himself.
The characters are somewhat stock in nature. Eisenberg's Cleveland is very similar to the characters that Michael Cera plays in film and television. He is the geek sort of guy who still is capable in tight situations. It is a tired characterization and is completely overdone. However, the character works well with Harrelson's, who pretty much plays the ultimate badass. He lives for killing zombies and not too much else. His obscenities are some of the most hysterical moments of the year, including my new favorite insult, which is too vulgar to write in this publication. A deep-rooted pain in Tallahassee drives him to shut everyone out of his life, and Cleveland has to basically force himself onto him. Ultimately though, Tallahassee is a Han Solo-esque character who has a good heart behind the stone face.
The best character in the film is ... well, you have to see it because I won't spoil this extended cameo. All I can say is that the role is brilliantly self-aware, but way too short-lived.
The style of the film drops jaws. The opening titles are slow motion with zombies and humans crashing through title cards. It quickly establishes how ridiculous the movie can be and the great font effects that will follow. The film itself has a washed-out look with minimal vibrancy. The climactic set piece at an amusement park brings color back into the film to represent an escape from the doom and gloom of zombies, even thought it brings a hoard of attacking zombies. It is shot digitally, but it really doesn't matter because in no way will it cause the backlash that it did this summer in "Public Enemies."
"Zombieland" thrives on pop culture references, almost as much as Quentin Tarantino. "Shaun of the Dead" obviously inspires the film, and the director is on record having confirmed this. A lot of the film also harkens to "Little Miss Sunshine" with the same actress co-starring and a big yellow vehicle transporting the crew across the country. Also a road trip that bonds a group together is a common theme among the films. There is an incredible cameo that steals the show.
The comedy here is slick and witty. On the other hand, it is laced with expletives to earn half of its R-rating. The other half goes to the bloody zombie massacre that fills the screen. Blood splatters, brutal violence and guts galore give this film a solid R. It is not a horror though. It has horror elements but it always remains light hearted, giving it a horror comedy genre placement rather than a funny horror. If for nothing else, check out "Zombieland" for its pure entertainment value. It offers the most fun you can have in theaters this weekend and tons of quotable lines that may soon make their place in pop culture.
Grade: A- (3.5 out of 4)
Until next time, get busy livin', or get busy dyin'.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
