Zombieland Review

   Taking a break from reviewing music, not currently having the money to buy Sonic Youth's "The Eternal", I'm deciding to review a movie that I consider one of the best zombie movies (and only) since "28 Weeks Later".

   Essentially, the story revolves around "Columbus" meeting up with a varied group fellow survivors in each one's attempt to get to a city, in which each individual is named after in order to not get too attached. Oh, I forgot to mention the earth has been taken over by freakin' zombies? Columbus, played by Jesse Eisenburg (Adventureland) revitalizes his role as nerdy post high school teen, while his first "sidekick", "Tallahassee" played by Woody Harrelson, is a bleak, and violent redneck of sorts who's goal is to find the last twinkie on earth (entirely true). This unlikely partnership also meets up with "Wichita" played by Emma Stone and "Little Rock" played by Abigail Breslin, a very creative female duo who only trust each other, and will do whatever it takes to survive. The group is very well rounded, entirely interesting, balance each other perfectly, and ultimately fun to watch. More so a disappointment than a complaint with the cast, the one guest appearance, Bill Murray is great, but because it's so good, it would've been nice to see other pop culture figures, zombie Eddie Van Halen anyone?

   The story is purposely somewhat cookie cutter, the beginning starts out with Columbus, kills some zombies, meets up with Tallahassee, outwitted by the femme fatal, kill more zombies, eventually teeming up, etc, and the humor and occasional scares flow well. There isn't much to complain about until the crew hits Los Angeles, where they meet Bill Murray. I won't spoil anything, but the time spent in the Ghostbuster's mansion does last a little too long, and sometimes filler.

   Of course Zombieland is meant to poke fun at many of the cleiches of zombie fiction. This is very apparent in the running gag of "the rules of zombie survival" in the start of the movie Columbus addresses some tips like kicking them while they are down, wearing a seatbelt, and of course, avoiding bathrooms. The gag continues where some are stated, then used again later for irony, and serves as the primary humor of Zombieland. Another thing worth mentioning is the soundtrack. To set the mood, Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is played in the opener, yeah, it's that awesome. Other tracks include Everybody Want Some!! by Van Halen, and a track from Jack Whites band "The Raconteurs". The inclusion of Don't Fear the Reaper by the Blue Oyster Cult could've been used to better effect, then again this is a music aficionado writing this review.

   It's funny, outrageous, and worth seeing. The characters are superb, the acting is great, the humor is cynical and sarcastic, and there are a couple scares thrown in. It would've been nice to get some of the filler scraped out, and another guest appearance or two wouldn't hurt.

4.25/5