Zombieland (2009)

Zombieland is an American zombie comedy road movie directed by Ruben Fleischer from a screenplay by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (who for trivia freaks, had originally written and pitched the idea as a TV pilot). The Film is set in a world where a raging pandemic is turning the populous into to zombies. But a few have survived, and in the film's opening scene we are introduced to one of those people, a geeky College student, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), who has survived this long by living his life by a set of rules – which appear on screen periodically throughout the film.

Columbus soon teams up with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a man whose main goal in life seems to be to track down the world's last twinkie. The pair then encounter two sisters, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). Whilst all does not go smoothly at first the foursome end up heading to the "Pacific Playland" amusement park in Los Angeles – stopping only for a film stealing cameo by Bill Murray along the way.

There really isn't a lot to Zombieland. When in concentrates on being a light-hearted zombie film parody it works quite well – and there are some nice uses of Columbus' rules when they are displayed onscreen, although the film makers seem to ditch this idea after the first 15 minutes. When it tries to be more than this it starts to drag a bit. It is interesting to find out that the whole "Pacific Playland" trip didn't exist in the writers' original script.

Essentially, It's a load of old tosh. That said, as old tosh goes, it is fairly enjoyable while it lasts, and there are worse ways to spend an afternoon/evening. Added to which, the cast are a likeable bunch. I have a soft spot for Harrelson (although he seems to be on automatic pilot here); Jesse Eisenberg continues to do his best Michael Cera impersonation (or is it the other way around?); Emma Stone, who was new to me, was assured and sexy in her role, and Abigail Breslin showed that Little Miss Sunshine was no fluke and she is indeed a young actress with immense talent.

DVD Extras

The DVD contains a handful of deleted scenes (without any commentary); two short 'making of' films; and an entertaining commentary with the writers, the director, and stars Harrelson, and Eisenberg. You do actually find out just why Harrelson's character paints a '3' on the side of any vehicle he's driving.

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray
Certificate: 15
Runtime: 84 minutes (approx.)
Special Features: Commentary with Actors Woody Harrelson & Jesse Eisenberg, Director Ruben Fleischer, Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Go Behind-the-Scenes with 'In Search of Zombieland', 'Zombieland is Your Land' - The zombification of the United States, Deleted Scenes, Visual Effects Progression Scenes, Theatrical Promo Trailers
Release date: 15 March 2010
RRP: £19.99

Scott Vine, CC, Legal Blogger

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