Zombies with character

Rating: 8/10 (29 March 2010)

Just what the world needs, another Zombie movie. With recent (and successful) genre installments such as Shaun of the Dead and the Dawn of the Dead redo, what could another zombie flick possibly offer an audience? The answer: a raucous, wildly entertaining romp that will make you jump, laugh and send you out of the theater feeling as good as if you just watched The Princess Bride.
Technically precise and disgustingly beautiful to behold, Z-Land grabs you by the short hairs from Round 1. But where the film really shines is with these four characters whom we come to love and applaud while sharing their journey through blood and guts.
Four pros on their A-Game, the cast gives us performances typically saved for films on the Oscar short list. A particular delight is the relationship between an effortlessly maturing Abigail Breslin and everyone's favorite former barkeep, Woody Harrelson. A montage of scenes in the car at the mid-point will have you giggling and feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside. And yes, this is a zombie movie. The film also boasts perhaps the greatest and most effective cameo in the history of comedy.
Z-Land proves once again what corporate Hollywood simply doesn't understand: any genre, any piece of IP can be successfully adapted to both critical and commercial acclaim if you create colorful, memorable and likable characters.
Z-Land. Zombies, but with a lot of heart.