Oh the horror! (AKA Cole reviews Zombieland)

Fri, October 9 2009

So, we saw Zombieland a few days ago. You’ve probably seen some of the trailers and, for once, they were not misleading in the least. You see, I am not a big fan of horror or zombies at all. I dislike things popping out and scaring me. I even further dislike the lack of a happy ending or even a semblance of one. After all, it wouldn’t be horror if someone didn’t die (or at least become irrevocably wounded) and, no matter how annoying or useless that character may be, it’s still unpleasant. Oddly enough, I’m also not a big fan of the comedic horror that’s been floating around lately.

Yet, every trailer I saw only made me want to see Zombieland more. It seems to have more personality than similar flicks and its brand of funny appeared a bit smarter, less cheesy or stupid than those films, too. It’s one ofthe few movies I’d been excited to see lately so I was surprised when Ryan said he had cooled on it. We saw it anyway and both enjoyed it.

Zombieland is a look at an America overtaken by zombies. It doesn’t delve into the “Why” or “How” and that works for the film. It follows socially awkward, college student known as Columbus (as in, Ohio, where he intends to go) as played by Jesse Eisenberg (who has less than two dozen movies under his wing) as he tries to survive Zombieland. I believe it is his first lead role and he reminds me a bit of Michael Cera combined with Seth from the OC. I know, how do I even know that? LOL

Columbus has survived, thus far, by a set of rules not just for zombies but for life. They are sometimes asinine but generally sound. As the narrator, he references these rules throughout the course of the movie and they appear on screen in ways that I found quite appropriate; I appreciate those graphics.

Columbus teams up with Tallahassee, a role far from his character, Woody, on cheers. Columbus describes Tallahassee as being “scary” happy at one point; he is only all too happy to kill zombies. Together the pair set out in a general eastward direction until they are scammed out of transportation and weapons by two unassuming girls (as played by Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin). This turn of events eventually leads them west, toward Los Angeles and hilarity, mixed with just a bit of horror, ensues.

As mentioned, I found this to be smarter than movies like Shawn of the Dead which I have no desire to see. It’s also touching with perhaps a bit of morality about family and friends in unexpected places, especially at the end. You can pretty much tell it’s coming, by that point. Additionally, some events are easily foreshadowed so this isn’t exactly the most intelligent movie ever. There are certainly cliched jokes and lines as well as but delivered appropriately by the actors. I found them to be good picks for the roles and they all came across as relatively believe and, what’s more, likable despite the surreality of Zombieland‘s premise.

Of course, the comedy was frequent enough that is balanced the sudden shock of zombies appearing on screen and the general violence and bit of gore. A helping hand from Bill Murray who appears as himself really takes the horror out of zombies. I left feeling as though I’d seen a light hearted horror movie. The set up isn;t right for all movies but if there is any way for me to enjoy horror, Zombieland got it dead right.