DVD Reviews

Zombieland – Blu-ray Review

By Dana Rae Feb 22, 2010, 14:23 GMT

Nerdy college student Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has survived the plague that has turned mankind into flesh-devouring zombies because he’s scared of just about everything. Gun-toting, Twinkie-loving Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) has no fears. Together, they are about to stare down their most horrifying challenge yet: each other’s company. Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin co-star in this double-hitting, head-smashing comedy. ...more

Zombieland comes to Blu-ray in all its comedic, bloody glory, and comic horror fans (think Shaun of the Dead) will rejoice.

Break out the Twinkies and prepare for an entertaining ride as the small ensemble cast (plus some zombies of course) with Woody Harrelson at the helm really deliver.

Harrelson plays “Tallahassee” (we are never given their actual names), a red-necked type that loves killing zombies. The only thing he loves more is a few Twinkies. Killing those pesky undead becomes second banana to finding a Twinkie, as he and his sidekick “Columbus” (played by Jesse Eisenberg) trek cross-country.

Their road trip is setback when they meet up with con artist sisters “Wichita” (Emma Stone) and “Little Rock” (Abigail Breslin) who steal Tallahassee’s truck. The other thing he loves in life besides Twinkies and killing zombies is his truck. So a little revenge is in order as they find another ride, this time a Hummer.

However, the girls are on the same route to California as the guys and con them again but they manage to ride together for the same goal: to get to a Disney-isque themed park in California.

Along the way, they kill a few zombies - though not as many as one would think. The zombie killing seemed a bit played down and the movie concentrated on clever dialogue as the sisters, Tallahassee, and Columbus continue their road trip.

In fact, the film became the ultimate road trip with a little apocalyptic, end-of-the-world theme thrown in. Who wouldn’t want to stop at one of those road-side stands and smash the tourist memorabilia and not have to pay for it?

They make it to California and to Hollywood and decide to find the biggest mansion they can and reside there for awhile. They end up finding Bill Murray’s humble abode (not so humble, it’s quite ostentatious). Bill Murray plays himself in what has to be the best cameo ever on screen. Even if you are not a zombie film fanatic, you still need to watch this movie to see his part in this!

They enjoy Mr. Murray’s house and hospitality immensely, and all that it has to offer, but Columbus has an itchy trigger finger and tragedy in the form of comedy ensues.  This pretty much wraps up the movie, but the four decide to split up and the girls go on to their theme park, which seems to have become zombie heaven (the flashing lights of the rides kind of attract those light-sensitive undead).

Of course the guys come to their rescue as they are trapped on a ride with drooling, munching undead gnashing at their feet.

At a mere 88 minutes, Zombieland never gets old and seems to be one big thrill ride with clever dialogue sandwiched somewhere in there. Harrelson is the heart of the film and delivers a stellar performance that begs for a sequel. 

The 88 minutes even includes two flashbacks, one of Columbus’ first encounter with a zombie (the girl of his dreams turning into a flesh-eating monster), and the reason Tallahassee hates the undead so much and finds simple pleasure in bashing in a few of their heads in increasingly creative ways.

The Tallahassee flashback is sad but it IS a comedy so there is a minute pin-prick of shame for having laughed the entire movie and then it moves forward.  No harm done (but as a parent I was left thinking about the tragic side of things).

This is a great popcorn flick! Give yourself a zombie treat - killing zombies has never been more fun. I am not a zombie genre fan per say (though in recent years my husband has convinced me otherwise), and I enjoyed this movie immensely. For sheer entertainment value alone - 4 stars.

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