The previews made Zombieland look like a fun movie, so I gave it a shot. It is a fun movie, but lacking. For the most part, it delivers what the preview promises: funny zombie killing. The movie tries to do a little more with character development and back story, which is where I end up slightly disappointed.
Zombieland starts with a funny intro, particularly the disgusting zombie stripper at the beginning. At first, I thought the saggy boobs were oozing black milk, then realized they were tassels. We immediately know that this zombie movie isn't out to scare the audience. Every aspect of the setup points to comedic intent. The protagonist "Columbus," played by Jesse Eisenberg who also provides a not annoying narration, gives us a short background of the zombie epidemic and the rules he uses to survive in the new world. The rules play a part throughout the movie, showing up as cleverly placed titles inserted into the world of Zombieland. Columbus is trying to get to Columbus, OH to see if his parents somehow survived. He hitches a ride with "Tallahassee," played by Woody Harrelson, who's just trying to kill as many zombies as he can find, and find a Twinkie. The bond, reluctantly, and eventually come across "Wichita" and "Little Rock," a pair of grifter sisters who inexplicably hijack Columbus and Tallahassee twice. Eventually they decide to stick together and go to Pacific Playland, a destination chosen by the sisters. Along the way, Columbus decides Wichita is his dream girl and they find Bill Murray still alive, hiding in his house. The ending is predictable, boys save girls, Columbus and Wichita kiss, and the foursome decide to stick together.
The movie is a little too predictable. The only surprise, for me, was the sisters being con artists. *Spoiler Alert* Bill Murray's eventual death would have been surprising if I'd not heard, or gotten the vibe, that he would be killed. Once I heard he was in the movie, but not featured in any commercial, I figured he must die somehow. It is still a sweet scene. Honestly, that's what you get for thinking that acting like a zombie, in a world of zombies, is a good way to scare someone.
The problems I have with the movie center on the girls. The Pacific Playland plan is awful. Early in the movie it establishes the zombies' prowess for hunting humans. So Wichita and Little Rock decide to go to a noisy carnival theme park? Why would this be the last place free of zombies?
The Pacific Playland idea isn't what truly prevents me from loving the movie, however. The real problem is the lack of back story for the sisters. We know about Columbus and we discover the heart breaking background of Tallahassee, but we know nothing of the sisters. Why were they conning people before the zombie epidemic? What is with their ridiculous trust issues? Where are their parents? Are they even sisters, cause their nicknames make me think otherwise. For the male characters, their names are chosen for their destinations, or origins, so I have no clue where the names Wichita and Little Rock came from. They set up the idea of a background for these two, but don't provide the payoff. It left me feeling a little empty.
Jessie Eisenberg. How long can he carry this schitck? Who disappears first, him or Michael Cera? I've been enjoying Emma Stone when I see her in movies. Unfortunately, she's in The House Bunny, which is unforgivable. I can never develop love for such a person, only like.
First Viewing: 3+2+2+2+2 = 11