There are a lot of theories as to why people have such an engrossing interest with zombies in the modern era. Some say it’s a morbid fascination with death that spikes the interest; others say it just makes good media. Either way, “Zombieland” satisfies our zombie mania with a caustic tongue-in-cheek attitude, even if that attitude can get a little obnoxious after half an hour.
The story is as such – a foursome of human survivors bond over sardonic zombie cliches as they make their way towards the west coast, where supposedly there lies a zombie-proof amusement park accurately named Pacific Place. Friendships are formed and secrets are discovered while having artful debates about zombie survival rules.
Woody Harrelson’s performance is one that cannot be missed – he plays a tough-as-nails loner whose hobbies include zombie-murder and making witty comments about said zombie-murders. It really is the role he was born to play, and while the other actors (Abigail Breslin as Little Rock should get an honorable mention as well) do an adequate job of portraying their characters, it’s Harrelson’s ludicrous behavior that really ties it all together.
The story isn’t going to impress anyone, its generic and easily replicated, but its the execution of the story that makes it interesting. The movie makes fun of itself on numerous occasions and wants the audience to focus more on the punchline then on the build up. The best moments of the film are actually the most subtle, like little inside jokes (usually conveyed through text) peppered throughout the movie to get a rise out of the viewers. The film makers definitely know their target audience, using a celebrity cameo (which is comparable to the hilarity of Tom Cruise’s surprise role in “Tropic Thunder”) and old horror movie references to make the audience laugh even more.
The second half seems to bleed out a bit, as the film cuts the jokes and goes for a ‘coming into manhood’ angle followed closely by a ‘we’re all just one big zombie killing family’ end. Its a little disappointing to say the least, exceedingly when romantic intention replaces delightful zombie killing. Still, the movie is better then it looks, and some of it’s jokes are so unexpected and creatively disgusting that the audience can’t help asking for more.
This movie isn’t for everyone; those who go to films expecting Shakespeare every time the actors open their mouths are not going to get the jokes. But anyone who was or still is a George A. Romero fan, read any zombie literature, or just enjoys a good comedy, will find the film goofy and lovable. Similar to the British “Shaun of the Dead,” the distinctly American “Zombieland” raises the archetypal-zombie-plot from the dead and refreshingly fills it with hilarious vitality – a transformation that demonstrates the unexplored possibilities of this once stale genre.
Marc White • Jun 26, 2016 at 11:23 pm
I love this movie, one of my favorites!