Review of 'Zombieland'

Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) is a student trying to make his way back home in world devestated by a virus related to mad cow disease that turns victims into brutal (and fast) Zombies. In between killing Zombies and trying to survive, Columbus meets Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a non-nonsense Twinkie-loving (yes!) gruff man who loves the slaughter. The two start travelling together when they are outsmarted by two street-savvy young women Wichita (Emma Stone) and her younger sister, Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). Meanwhile, the Zombies keep coming…

A firmly tongue-in-cheek Zombie film that is not afraid to splash gratuitous and visceral gore across the screen particularly in first few minutes of the film where Columbus explains his rules for staying alive. It never takes itself too seriously and has the emotional depth of a damp rag but it is quite a lot of “fun”. The humour is extraordinarily dark and the characters are extremely one-dimensional but is a bit of escapist entertainment. If you want more depth in a Zombie flick you would be better off with 28 Days Later though the effects in “Zombieland” are far superior (and much, much bloodier). The cinematography is incredibly dynamic and really pulls you into the film with amusing touches such as the on-screen lettering being pushed around by the on-screen action.

I found it disturbing the lack of any moral center to this film with the violence so incredibly real but inconsequential to the characters. I suppose it is the equivalent of watching a video game containing highly realistic, brutal, violence. I found it hard to laugh but when I did I felt oddly guilty at it. I suppose, turn your brain off and just “enjoy” the film for what it is but don't think too much further on it.

Light, horror-filled, Zombie-bashing, entertainment that does not take itself seriously…in any way.

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2021-10-30

Directed by: Ruben Fleischer

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Year: 2009

Length: 88 minutes

Genre: Horror

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156398/

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