People have interesting reactions to horror. Specifically the intense moments. Some cower. Others cackle with glee. Some visibly jump in their seats. Others laugh too but it is one of discomfort. ZombieLand recognizes this quirk of human nature and utilizes it for full effect.
Zombieland marries comedy and gore to give moments where one can be revolted and yet laugh with glee as the movie munches through the conventions of the zombie genre. Off the bat the main character is a neurotic, mildly obsessively compulsive disordered, live at home with his parents, video gaming nerd known as Columbus.
Zombieland marries comedy and gore to give moments where one can be revolted and yet laugh with glee as the movie munches through the conventions of the zombie genre. Off the bat the main character is a neurotic, mildly obsessively compulsive disordered, live at home with his parents, video gaming nerd known as Columbus.
Columbus is one of the few survivors of a zombie holocaust who has turned his OCD into a survival tool. With it he has compiled a survival checklist which he recites in the opening moments of the movie. Then in a series of hilarious vignettes we are treated to perfect examples of the checklist and proving the old story telling adage of, ‘show not tell.’
The, ‘fasten your seatbelt,’ example is equally hilarious and gross.One of the conceits of the movie is the characters are known by a place instead of their name. Joining Columbus is Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee. Harrelson plays a domesticated version from his role from Natural Born Killers. The fact that he is a proficient killer, in this case of zombies, further mines the comedy/violence vein. The role fits Harrelson like a glove, is effective, and is one that he could do in his sleep.
Columbus and Tallahassee cross paths with a sister con artist team whom are constantly one upping the guys. The foursome create an unlikely family as they travel across the country and end up meeting someone in an unbilled cameo that while somewhat uneven, hits more than it misses.
Funny, gross, scary, and touching this is a film that rarely stumbles. A big thumbs up for the zombie effects and death scenes too. A lot of the credit goes to Jesse Eisenberg upon which the burden of the movie rests. A burden he carries with a charming, dry humoured ease.
ZombieLand is a blast.
