Ruben Fleischer's 2009 zombie movie banners an all-star cast of Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone.
The film is set in a post-apocalyptic United States where an outbreak of mutated "mad cow disease" has turned people into zombies.
Following the outbreak, Columbus (Eisenberg) decided to travel to Ohio to check on whether his parents had survived the apocalypse. Along the way, he met Tallahassee (Harrelson), who was searching for the last Twinkie on Earth.
They eventually meet Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Breslin), the cunning sisters who just want to take refuge in Los Angeles' Pacific Park. They believe that it is the only place in the USA free from zombies.
One of the most versatile and affecting subgenres is zombie movies. It’s so impactful that the game-changing reimagining of it in "Night of the Living Dead" by George A. Romero is still considered one of the most influential films to date.
"Zombieland" is not as phenomenal as "Night of the Living Dead," but that is understandable since it wasn't trying to be a traditional zombie movie.
"Zombieland" mixes humor, romance, horror, and action, putting more emphasis on character development than anything else. This can only work, though, with a talented cast, and fortunately, for this one, they aced their casting choices.
The actors and actresses are believable and lovable in their unique ways. Eisenberg’s Columbus shines in every scene he's in. He's awkward but charming, and he fits well with other characters, like Harrelson's Tallahassee and Stone's Wichita.
"Zombieland," however, lacks the energy expected of a zombie movie. This is what Edgar Wright’s "Shaun of the Dead" was able to modify in the subgenre back in 2004.
"Shaun of the Dead" has the same construction as this film. Both are horror comedies, relying on the journey of the character from zero to hero to forward the story. Plus, both have colorful characters.
Furthermore, "Zombieland" has an appealing game-like appearance. And this special effect is perfect for the movie because it adds drama and wit to different parts of it, making them even better.
For a subgenre that has been explored by different filmmakers, "Zombieland" sets itself apart from others by adding style and finesse to a fun-filled story.
4/5
