“A GRUESOMEÂ RIDE”
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Amber Heard
Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
MPAA Rating: R for zombie horror violence/gore and language.
Genre: Comedy and Suspense/Horror
Release Date: October 2009
By John Delia
Heads roll and so does the laughter in Zombieland. I loved the actor’s performances in this tongue in cheek horror comedy with tons of campy dialogue. A tad more brutal than Shaun of the Dead, almost as sadistic as Inglorious Bastards, Zombieland should get high marks from young adults and ‘Halloweeners.’
The world as we know it has come to an end being overridden by infectious zombies that can take the life out of you and transform you into one of them with a single bite. Their numbers growing, only a few survivors have been able to elude the masses of carnivorous beasts. Columbus (Eisenberg) one of the few living humans has been running from the killers successfully for what seems forever. While being chased out of a town he runs into Tallahassee (Harrelson), a fearless nutcase who has been attacking zombies for sport. His deal is to rid every bloodthirsty creature in his path and have a good time doing it.
Columbus and Tallahassee team up after a slight altercation, heading to a
city where they believe other humans have taken refuge. But they don’t get far when they come across two females, Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Breslin) stranded along the roadside. When the two girls turn the tables on Columbus and Tallahassee, they force them to travel west for one last good time.
The acting by the whole cast is brilliant. Although Breslin steals the show
with her young feisty crafty and defiant attitude, Stone, Eisenberg and Harrelson crack a few heads, take some beatings and create gory mayhem as well. I would love to tell you what happens at the end of Zombieland, but that would spoil the film. But since it won’t make any difference to the plot, well: Columbus frits finagles and fusses, while Wichita pounces prattles and punches getting Little Rock to bustle bedraggle and bean. Finally Tallahassee starts to shoot, scoot and sting bringing the evening to an end.
Zombieland is rated R for zombie horror violence/gore and language and some very brutal stabbings, slashing, chopping, and shootings, well you get the idea. So although it is done tongue-in-cheek, it may be a little too much for the immature.
FINAL ANALYSIS: It’s a butt-kicker, that’s for sure! (5 of 5 Palm Trees)
Check out the interview we did on the red carpet with Harrelson and Eisenberg. Click on the INTERVIEW tab. It’s brief and to the point, just like the movie!
