Awesomely Funny and Action Packed

Rating: 9/10 (3 October 2009)

It's been a long time since I have really enjoyed myself in the theaters. Sure, Inglorious Basterds was genius and District 9 was also quite good, but that's about all I can recall really enjoying this summer. Now with fall upon us, it's time to head into a new season of film and ramp up for the winter. Zombieland is a great start for the season. In fact, this is really just a summer movie that missed the deadline. It would have been one of the better films this summer, and is one of the better films I have seen as of late.
In Zombieland, our focus is on Columbus, an almost neurotic shut-in, is trying to get home to Columbus, Ohio after zombies take over the world. He soon meets Tallahassee, who is simply trying to survive, and find a twinkie at that. The two hit the road, and we find ourselves on a zombie road trip that will have you laughing all along the way.
The best thing about the film is that it is in equal parts action packed and funny. Well, probably mostly fun, but there is enough of both comedy and action here to satisfy. However, this is not gag based comedy, thank god, but rather based on it's characters, which is a relief for zombie films. Jessie Einsenberg is perfectly cast as Columbus, who seems afraid of the world at large, but is pretty much forced into it by the zombie situation. His narration, which could have been annoying, is actually quite funny from the very beginning. Just as funny are his rules, which continually pop up in comedic fashion to remind the viewer of their importance. Woody Harrelson is also quite funny as Tallahassee, whose mostly muscle for the film, but also provides quite a bit of comedy through his "nut up or shut up" type of character. Completing the cast are Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin as Witchita and Little Rock, respectively, two young femme fatales who take our main characters for quite the spin.
The comedy in zombieland lends itself more to today's style of humor in films, that sort of realistic and awkward humor that has been pervasive in any film starring Seth Rogan or Michael Cera. While it's not exactly that style of humor, the most funny moments are the most human ones. Tallahassee's quest for a twinkie, Columbus' neurosis, tearing up a souvenir shop, even Bill Murray's guest appearance. These are all some of the funniest things about the film. Sure, all the stuff involving the zombie's is fun and funny, but what really shines here are the characters, which keep from being typical, plywood staples of the zombie film. Many will probably compare this to Shaun of the Dead, and it's a justified comparison. This ranks right up there with Shaun and should be an instant zombie classic.