America, The Zombie-ful (Zombieland (DVD))

Member Name: SWSt

Product:	Zombieland (DVD)
Date:	10/11/09 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very funny central concept, good rapport between characters, fast paced

Disadvantages: Flabby middle section with unnecessary "big name" cameo; "rules" concept not fully exploited

Ten years ago, if you'd have suggested a comedy about zombies (a zom-com), you'd have been laughed at. Now if you pitch a zom-com, the inevitable question is "will it be as good as Shaun of the Dead."

In the case of Zombieland, the short answer "no". If that's all you're after, thanks for stopping by, come back soon y'hear? Some of the more demanding dooyoo-ers, though, will doubtless insist on a little more detail. So... come with me to an America populated almost exclusively by zombies. We join the adventure as a group of four survivors (known only by the names of the places they lived) meet up...

If you like plots, character progression and coherent storylines, Zombieland is probably one to steer clear of. The reasons why everyone has been turned into a flesh-eating zombie are never explored or explained: they simply have; get over it. Equally why there are a handful of survivors isn't given a moment's thought; live with it. Whether this "plague" affects the whole world or just America... who cares? If that's the sort thing you're after, Zombieland will prove a frustrating experience.

Where Zombieland scores big time is that it cracks along at a fair old pace. The vague attempt at plot justification is dealt with during the opening credits, after which we're plunged straight into the action. Within 15 minutes of the film starting, we've witnessed one of the lead characters being hunted by zombies, been introduced to the second main character, seen some more zombies killed, been introduced to two more survivors and established the dynamics between our little quartet of guides to this brave new world. Not bad going, huh? Zombieland recognises it is based on the slimmest of ideas and so limits its ambition, coming in at a bottom-friendly 88 minutes.

Don't mistake lack of quantity for lack of quality, though. Whilst Zombieland does sag a little in the middle (more on that later), it provides some great laughs along the way. The humour is sly, wry, dry and other things ending in "y". It shows definitively that, contrary to all expectations, Americans CAN do irony. The relationship between the characters is amusing and, whilst Zombieland doesn't have any real belly laughs (it's not that kind of film), it is genuinely amusing - far more so than many supposed out-and-out comedies.

Still comparisons with Shaun of the Dead are inevitable, which is a little unfair as they are very different films, striking very different tones. Shaun was a pastiche of zombie films; something which paid homage to the genre, whilst making fun of some of the conventions. There's an element of that in Zombieland, too, but the humour is more sly and subtle; a better comparison point for Zombieland might actually be the original Scream.

Like Scream, Zombieland takes the established "rules" about zombies and makes them the blueprint for survival. The wimpiest character we encounter (Columbus) has compiled a list of these rules, which has helped him to survive against the odds. Yet whilst Zombieland is partially intended to play to a knowing audience, those who have never seen a zombie film can still enjoy it, since all the "rules" are displayed on screen in a very innovative fashion and explained.

One slightly disappointing aspect to these "rules" is that the idea is not fully exploited. Based on what we are told, Columbus has compiled 32 rules, yet we only ever witness a handful in action and several of them (particularly the "double tap" rule) are repeated, which is cheating slightly, in my eyes. Examining more of the rules might have extended the scope of the film.

What really makes Zombieland tick is the characters and the relationship between them. Sure, they may undergo fairly predictable character arcs (initial mistrust to mutual respect, hate at first sight to love etc.) but they work well and, taken as a whole, their argumentative, bizarre outlooks on life serve the film well; the bickering, banter and withering put-downs giving rise to some of the film's funniest moments.

The two male leads work particularly well. Jesse Eisenberg is the wimpy, rule-obsessed Columbus, terrified of his own shadow. Eisenberg plays the character with precisely the amount of vulnerability and "dorkishness" to gain our sympathy and disdain in equal measure. It's his character that provides the voice-over narrative and he delivers this with just the right amount of earnestness, combined with a knowing wink. Think Michael Cera without the annoying whiny voice that makes you want to punch him and you're on the right lines.*

It would take something pretty special to upstage Eisenberg's well-judged performance. So step forward Woody Harrelson as the snakeskin jacket wearing, Twinkie-obsessed zombie killer Tallahassee. Harrelson is clearly having a great time sending up his Natural Born Killers persona and chews up every scene. Tallahassee is boorish, over-the-top, seemingly insensitive, sarcastic and very, very funny. Some of his one-liners, put-downs and inappropriate comments are priceless.

Inevitably in the face of such competition, the two female leads suffer a little, although they have their moments. Emma Stone (Wichita) and Abigail Breslin (Little Rock) work well as a double act, so it's a shame that by the end of the film they have been reduced to the traditional damsels in distress.

But back to that saggy middle section I mentioned earlier. This features a sub-plot involving a cameo from a famous comedy film actor (no names, but if you really need to know, IMDB Zombieland). Everybody else seems to love this bit; I felt it was a rather self-indulgent, not-very-funny in-joke which smacks of the writers desperately trying to find an excuse to work with one of their heroes. I seem to be in a minority of about one, but I found the middle section to be an unnecessary distraction in an otherwise very good film.

Other problems? If scares and gore are your thing, you'll come out disappointed. Whilst the zombies are pretty disgusting blood-drooling things, they are not seen that often, nor is there much in the way of limb-munching. Scares are few and far between. There are a couple of minor "jump" moments, but only your most wussy cinema-goer will find them scary; horror aficionados will see them coming a mile off.

So, America's answer to Shaun of the Dead isn't quite as laugh-out-loud funny, but it is amusing and well-worth watching. I'd happily sit and watch it again and it's a welcome addition to the small, but steadily increasing supply of zom-coms.

Basic Information
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Zombieland
2009
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Running time: approx. 88 minutes
Certificate: 15

[random digressions]

* On the off-chance his lawyers read this, I'm sure Michael Cera is a lovely chap and everything, who helps small kittens across the road, nurses sick grannies back to health (and possibly even the other way round, too), never forgets a birthday or a face etc. etc. But you have to admit, he DOES have a whiny voice that makes you want to punch him **

** Again, in case the lawyers are reading, I would like to point out that I am in no way advocating that anyone SHOULD punch Michael Cera. This would clearly be a VERY BAD thing to do.

[end of random digressions]

© Copyright SWSt 2009

Summary: Anyone in need of another Zom-Com could do far worse