Entry#168: Zombieland

Trailer

Man, it was a pleasure to re-watch this film. I hadn't watched Zombieland since its original theatrical release, so I had all but completely forgotten about the many interesting, humorous, and charming elements of the film. It's a horror-comedy, for those unaware, so there's a fair balance between gruesome sights and hilarious gags/one-liners. The film follows in the footsteps of films like Evil Dead II and Shaun of The Dead, with its balance between two genres that are usually complete opposites. Though it's not as fantastic as aforementioned films, Zombieland is still a hilarious and enjoyable romp through a zombie apocalypse.

The film follows a group of survivors, all of which are titled after the names of the locations they're headed to, in a world that's become overrun by the undead horde. Because of the constant threat of danger, many of these survivors - particularly "Columbus" - have come up with a set of 'rules' to follow in this zombified wasteland. "Cardio", "limber up", "check the back seat", and "avoid bathrooms" are only a few of the many rules set up by this likable and quirky cast. We follow the film's survivors - Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock - as they set out to survive "Zombieland" with these rules.

The characters are fantastic, well-written, and extraordinarily lovable. Without a doubt, the characters are the best part of Zombieland and for good reason. Each has his/her own style and brand of humor, creating a diverse cast with plenty of memorable moments between the group. Tallahassee, for instance, is badass zombie killer who, as it turns out, has a heart of gold and is pretty emotional sometimes. The depth of these characters goes beyond stereotypes by creating a dysfunctional family in a world that seems to offer little in terms of hope. Lovable and with a charming sense of depth, the characters should serve as both a comedy trope and a heartwarming family.

This wouldn't be a zombie film without the work of effective visuals. The cinematography looks great and the high definition of the camera shows off really nicely. The world perfectly captures the essence of the post-apocalyptic and feels like a description pulled out of Max Brooks' Zombie Survival Guide (with the exception of the running zombies). The image looks crisp and everything from effects to costumes look terrific and completely authentic.

I love the pacing of this film as well. Because of how enrapturing the characters are and how interesting the concept is, it never feels like the film drags itself out or leaves too much on the cutting board. It feels just right and seems to end quite quickly because of how easily the film sucks its viewers into the material. A film that leaves you wanting more is truly a success on the creative team's part.

If I have any major complaints, it's about certain things regarding the film's opening and ending. The opening, I felt, provided a great opening montage and introduction, but felt weak compared to the rest of the film. I couldn't figure out exactly why, at first, but soon came to the conclusion that the film didn't know how to start off. It gets off on the wrong foot, but the film makes up for it by having a brilliant cast. As for the ending, it sort of bugged me that these "zombie experts" would be making trivial mistakes by the end of the film. Shooting guns in someone's honor, while polite, isn't something to do in a zombie apocalypse. The sound of bullets being fired is *very* loud and would allow every zombie within the next five miles, give or take, to know of your presence. Not a very good idea. I don't want to spoil anything either, but the amusement park idea...well, that speaks for itself.

Zombieland is a fast-paced and fun film with plenty of great characters. It gets off on the wrong step and some of the story elements can feel rushed, but the film's otherwise great. It's truly a film that can be enjoyed by both horror aficionados and mainstream audiences.