Film Road to Halloween: Zombieland (2009)

The road to Halloween is paved with good films. Wherein we countdown to the spirited season with a hundred doses of horror. 82 days to go.

There is a valid opinion that there is a distinct over-exposure of the zombie film (and indeed on television). In fact, that has been a weary talking point for years now. Thus, we may well forget that a crowd-pleaser like Zombieland, from 2009, came at a much less tiring time for the undead walkers.

The zombie rising in the movies has not flourished anywhere near this well since the 1970s. And I am still talking from a 2009 stand-point. What was so fresh and inviting about Zombieland – and what made it one of the most successful films of the years with audiences – was that it had its tongue in its cheek. It provided some wholesome comic elements, while not tarnishing the blueprints of the zombie story-telling arsenal.

The postapocalyptic comedy – slash, horror – actually utilized a kind of zombie rulebook within its narrative. These ‘Do’s and ‘Don’t’s formed much of the basis of our protagonist and his voice-over. Though he narrates this sitting, you can argue this is actually a four-course meal. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, making his first feature film, and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Zombieland breathes some new air into such territories by allowing fresh legs to have a crack.

“Zombieland breathes some new air into such territories by allowing fresh legs to have a crack.”

Following the devastation of humanity by the zombie infestation – formerly know as mad cow disease – the good old U.S. of A is now the not-so-good U.S. of Zombieland. Sure, U.S.Z. doesn’t have the same ring to it, but those that still walk the Earth without mutation have far greater worries now.

It is Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) who helps to plot our journey. With an intricate, zappy backstory in the opening moments, the scene is set for what might just promise to be a rollercoaster ride. Hold that thought. As the rules of survival are spoken to us and superimposed across the screen, the audience quickly begins to realise they are investing in an education as well as an adventure. Can we call it adventure? Battle-for-your-life.

On his travels (Zombieland weaves in a kind of road trip across the Southwest), Columbus meets the cocky Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson). Soon, they come across two sisters, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), who instantly pull off one of the great tricks on the wise-guys. Eventually the four of them decide against trying to outsmart one another – or rather that the girls should quit their cons and give the guys a chance – and they form what might be an unlikely force in any other scenario.

“One-liners, so fluid, they bring us back to the reality that these characters now must miss dearly, while cementing a level of sharp wit.”

Zombieland literally has four definite winners in its corner with the cast. Breslin, whose 12 years are a match for her allies, tells you everything with her eye-rolls. Stone is a sort of fox with a brain, and takes no bullshit. The sisters, in fact, are quite the formidable double-act. Harrelson has always demonstrated a huge presence on screen, and can be funny in a heartbeat. And then Eisenberg, who is seemingly ideally cast for his matter-of-factness, sarcasm, socially awkward gestures, yet just the right amount of charisma to not put you off.

And what might have been seen as a little bit of a gimmick, the appearance of Bill Murray as himself actually comes over as sheer genius. Murray is a subtly terrific as ever, uninfected by any attacks, but taking advantage of his movie bizz make-up knowledge to disguised himself a zombie, thus undetected. He and Tallahassee (a huge Bill Murray fan) even re-enact the chandelier blasting scene from Ghostbusters. While Columbus and Little Rock watch that very movie in the home theater.

With a tightly-packed handful of everything you probably need from a zombie movie, and more, Zombieland manages to still remain genuinely funny throughout. One-liners, so fluid, they bring us back to the reality that these characters now must miss dearly, while cementing a level of sharp wit. “I remember this being more fun.” says Little Rock to Wichita, both stuck on a sky-ride with growlers waiting below. Or Columbus’ “I’m so fucking sorry.” as he crushes Amber Heard’s zombiefied ankle in the door as he bolts for his life.

“Those performances are spot-on when it comes to delivering the best of a good old fashioned survival-fest.”

The sprinkles of physical comedy work too. Like the on-screen displays of the rules, they act to halt the narrative, or at least prolong any potential dilemma. That Columbus advises Tallahassee to “Limber up” as per the rule, before walking down an embankment, is perfectly played. As is trying to evade a bite by throwing a toilet roll at their face.

The key rule that seems to surface more often than any of the others (apart from maybe “Double tap”), is to “Enjoy the little things”. Like smashing up an antiques store; or taking full advantage of a vacated amusement park; to even being a little more inventive with taking out the creepos and honoring yourself with “Zombie Kill of the week”. There is even room for some dabbles of real heart and soul. That Tallahassee is so determined to find Twinkies, eventually transpires that it is his young son he grieves for, and not a puppy.

Those performances are spot-on when it comes to delivering the best of a good old fashioned survival-fest. Yet still able to bring the laughs and the tears where needed. Zombieland is all extremely well balanced and paced, it plays with the conventions of the zombie genre and churns comedy from it with consummate ease. The upcoming sequel promises much, given how long we have had to survive.