Zombieland (2009)

Shaun of the Dead has always been my go-to zombie comedy so I never really cared about watching other movies of the genre. Then eight/nine years ago I fell in love with Emma Stone which translated in me watching every single film she made. Zombieland was one of them, and, despite Jesse Eisenberg, it was love at first sight and now it's kinda replaced Edgar Wright's film.

The story follows Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a geeky young man trying to survive the zombie apocalypse by following a long list of rules he has created. On his way to Ohio to see if his parents are still alive, he meets Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a man who hates zombies and enjoys killing them like nobody else on a quest to find the last Twinkie, and they decide to travel together. While on their journey, they meet Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), two sisters who are heading to an amusement park nearby Los Angeles which is believed to be zombie-free.

Plot-wise, there's not a lot going on in Zombieland as the plot is extremely simple and uncomplicated, it doesn't have any surprising twist nor turn, and, to be completely honest, there are a lot of conveniences and it doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense. It's its simplicity and its silliness though that makes it work. 

The characters don't have a lot of depth nor complexity either as they all are one-dimensional, cardboard-like characters. Yet, there's something memorable and likeable about each one of them, whether it's the neurotic geek who is probably afraid of his own shadow, the kinda psychotic cowboy obsessed with Twinkies, or the girl with the perfect hair, perfect makeup and well-thought outfit during the zombie apocalypse or her tremendously ignorant teen sister.

Columbia Pictures

The actors don't do anything new as they all play characters they've played before —Jesse Eisenberg is the only exception because he plays Jesse Eisenberg— but they share a nice chemistry and they are fun to watch, especially Woody Harrelson who gives a humorous performance as the tough guy who just wants a Twinkie and seems to be born to play this kind of role.

Ultimately, Zombieland is not a smart movie, one of those films that keep you hanging with its twists and turns. On the contrary, it's pretty simple dumb, but the cast, Bill Murray's funny cameo and the often black humour make for a pretty entertaining flick.