Zombieland (2009) Review

“Don’t kill me with my own gun!”

THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Now we all had our day to day life moments that drive us crazy, but I don’t think they can get crazier than what can ensue in Zombieland.


PLOT


Originally written to be a television series by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick, the 2009 film takes place in a dystopia where the zombie outbreak began from a contaminated burger. All the survivors keep things on a first name basis by using city of origin as nicknames. The story follows a young man named Columbus who is traveling from Austin, Texas, hoping to find his parents. He pairs up with a more skilled killer named Tallahassee and the only personal information he ever shares when together is that he lost a dog to zombies named Buck. As he craves the last twinkies ever made, they run into the sister pair of Little Rock and Witchita who con them by pretending the former got bit, successfully taking their weapons and their truck. The guys do get another truck with weapons left behind but when they run into the girls again, they spark a truce to survive together. When the girls explain his hometown is destroyed, Columbus & Tallahassee agree to tag along with them to Los Angeles. The girls want to head there to visit the amusement park, Pacific Playland, believing the place to be free of zombies. When they pass through Beverly Hill, they crash at the home of infamous comedic actor Bill Murray. Columbus splits with Little Rock to watch one of his movies at his private theater, whereas Tallahassee and Witchita run into Bill himself who has makeup to blend in with other zombies. He tries to prank Columbus by pretend i g he’s a zombie, but it costs him his life the moment he shoots him. After the group pay respects in giving a quick memorial for the actor, they later bond by playing Monopoly and Tallahassee admits Buck was actually his son that died from an infection. Although Columbus would start falling for Witchita, she and Little Rock would abruptly leave for the park as planned. They turn on the whole place and all the sound brings a herd of zombies to them. When that happens, they evade them ride after ride and shooting down as much as they could until hiding at a drop tower ride. Columbus follows as he couldn’t deny his feelings for Witchita and Tallahassee joins him for backup. They’re actually able to wipe out the whole herd one by one and in the process, Columbus even overcomes his fear of clowns by killing a zombie clown that would be the last zombie to save the girls. Once getting off the ride, Witchita expresses gratitude by kissing him and sharing her real name to be Krista. As they regroup with Tallahassee, Witchita gives him a Twinkie he was craving so much. And as they leave the park together, the film ends with all four agreeing to stick together.


THOUGHTS


Watching this movie within the same time span of amc’s The Walking Dead is what made me a fan of the zombie subgenre and there just couldn’t be any better way in the 21st century to do so. The latter show peaked in constant dread of how dangerous it can get, yet this movie showed how fun it can also be. Of course, the practical effects in showing how grotesque each zombie made by effects artist Tony Gardner of Alterian Inc. was so impressive in making each one distinguishable. The action is even well edited by Peter Amundson & Alan Baumgarten. Hell, I even respect it having a running gag of rules on how to survive whereas the sequel sets up the levels of zombies. Arguably, it peaked in moments like the supermarket standoff and the theme park climax. As that is always a standout for these kind of movies, this one rivals The Hangover in being a classic comedy from ‘09 due to being consistently funny under 90 minutes. I mean the opening montage that plays ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ sets up the tone this will be a bonkers experience. Moments like trashing the gift shop and Columbus trying to be a bad boy to impress Witchita before the unexpected appearance of Bill Murray is what makes it all the more timeless. I mean you would be lying if you say you wouldn’t want to get high with him and reenact Ghostbusters or any of his movies. And you know what, I probably would use dollar bills as tissue after crying if I was rich like Murray. Having said that, what also brings me back is that Director Ruben Fleischer is able to successfully tell viewers that we can still have connection to nurture in the darkest of times and if we’re lucky, we can enjoy the little things like the mini ensemble that had each other’s back. This was my introduction to both Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson and I wouldn’t have it any other way because these two pair were like a match made in heaven. Columbus was relatable for having anxiousness in such a setting, whereas Tallahassee is the badass with a soft spot because he is instantly loyal that matches his fearlessness. He is so open minded to team up with younger people because each one reminded him of his son, knowing he’d need all the help he can get in the same shoes as them. As both guys were polar opposites, it became fitting that two equals would make an unlikely family between them all. Columbus had always wanted that since he had no true connection with his parents before the outbreak, so connecting with anyone was his way to redeem himself to gain what he lacked. He was searching not that hard enough since his original neighbor ‘406’ (Amber Heard) got infected the day he first spoke to her, so some can call it destiny when it came to meeting Krista. Emma Stone & Abigail Breslin were a great sibling pair as respectively as Witchita & Little Rock because they share the cunning attitude that had kept them alive way before the outbreak. Since their parents weren’t around, they thought best keeping things close to the chest since having each other was all they know and didn’t want to take much risks at that point. They came around with the guys since they all shared the goal of survival. In fact, it was ideal for Columbus to put the foot down and insist being on the same page because there’s no point in being enemies to one another when zombies are the bigger problem. Little Rock was chill with Tallahassee most at this point because he too respected her maturity, despite the disappointment of not knowing Bill Murray before reaching his home. That alone was enough for her to respect his preference by saving him a Twinkie at the end. Witchita ends up trusting Columbus the most to the point of sharing her birth name because she accepts he’ll never hurt her, embracing a whole new level of intimacy she never thought she’d be able to express before. Now that she has done so and Columbus gained a whole new batch of confidence in the process as well, it goes without saying these four would create all the more ecstatic memories together as a family. This movie rocks in so many levels, but even great stuff like this had moments that confused me upon rewatching. Like for instance, why does it take so long for 406 to try biting Columbus? I can buy it takes a while for the infection to kick in since she didn’t know where she got bit, especially at the beginning of the outbreak, but any zombie does not hesitate getting their grub on. Hell, that bothered me the toilet lid being cleanly white after he hits her with it. It even feels hard to believe only two different people parked at the grocery store before the main characters meet each other. I mean that confused me more than wondering how long Witchita & Little Rock were avoiding the zombies inside just to wait for someone to loot. I don’t know how I’d rank Columbus’ rules because I’m glad someone can come up with them, but how does anyone have the contact information to know if anyone can score the zombie kill of the week? This is the only inside joke I can’t get behind because it makes the least sense. The only thing I can complain about Bill Murray here is not taking advantage of a Kingpin reference, but leaving the front door open. I know he wants to blend in which can be smart, but he’s way too calm to consider doing that on a daily. I can respect the fact the theme park was bound to lure zombies out on accident, but it’s kind of bombastic not one pulled up during the 21 gun salute for Murray or the target practice Tallahassee has with Little Rock. Ps, I don’t want to be that guy but Anaconda was PG-13 and not R rated the way Witchita believes. Lastly, it’s even dumb for the girls to let the Hummer plunge rather than drive around a little longer to get the zombies off. Once you ignore all said flaws, you’re still gonna have as much of a blast. In conclusion, Zombieland will forever share the ranks in being a prime example of how fun a movie can be no matter the genre. If that is all you want from a movie, see this now.