October 4, 2009 -- Going into this film I was thinking that the film I would measure it against is “Shaun of the Dead.” After seeing it, I have to say it measures up. While it is bloodier than I like, it is a very funny zombie movie. Of course, George Romero, the master of the genre, has injected a fair amount of humor into some of his films, but nothing compared to the all out comedy onslaught of “Shaun of the Dead” with its unforgettable conclusion. “Zombieland” has a standard kind of conclusion, but it is satisfying. It doesn't break any new ground or have any new ideas. It is just a well-written, well-directed, well-acted film.

Jesse Eisenberg, fresh off his successful outing in the similarly-named “Adventureland,” stars as a similar kind of awkward young loner again in this film. His fears, phobias and video game skills have made him the perfect survivor in a world ruled by zombies. He is wary of others, cautious and careful. His rules of survival include, “Don't be a hero” and “Always fasten your seat belt.” A series of comic vignettes illustrate why others have perished by failing to follow his many rules of survival. One day, while traveling he happens upon another survivor, played by Woody Harrelson of “The Messenger.” The tough, older newcomer with a cowboy swagger doesn't believe in using real names, so he calls the younger man “Columbus” and calls himself “Tallahassee,” because those are their respective destinations.

Along the way, they happen across a couple of grifters, Wichita (Emma Stone of “Superbad”) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin of “Definitely, Maybe”). The two sisters have been surviving by their wits. They outsmart Talahassee and Columbus and take their car and guns. Eventually the four meet again and decide to travel together, despite their mutual distrust. Their travels bring them many adventures, ending at an amusement park in California (reminiscent of “Wallyworld” in a certain vacation comedy). It is not Disneyland. Director Ruben Fleischer shows a deft touch with the comedy. The film also makes good use of graphics, periodically highlighting certain rules of survival in clever morphing graphic forms. Bill Murray makes a cameo appearance as himself in the film and has some memorable comic bits.

This film, like most zombie movies, has an apocalyptic setting. Unlike most apocalyptic movies, however, it has a favorable view of human nature. The four main characters are all emotionally wounded. They are engaged in a constant, stressful battle for survival, but they remain essentially caring people with their humanity intact. They even learn to become a sort of family unit. This is a refreshing shift from the prevailing trend in recent films that covers the spectrum from dark to darkest in terms of the nature of human beings. The casting of this film is very solid, with Eisenberg and Harrelson playing characters well within their range and experience. Harrelson, especially, seems born to play this redneck zombie killing machine. The acting is spot on all around and the script, by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, is funny and engaging. This is one of the best of the limited sub-genre of zombie comedies. It rates a B+.

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Copyright © 2009 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
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