Zombieland

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Rated R for horror violence/gore and language

Length: 81 minutes

Released: October 2, 2009 Nationwide

Score: 3.0

Cast: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Producer: Gavin Polone
Writer: Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Distributor: Sony/Columbia Pictures

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"Zombieland" might just be the coolest undead movie ever.

It's as funny as "Shaun of the Dead" and has thrills on par with the 2004 remake of "Dawn of the Dead." Best of all, it's one of those rare movies that lives up to the promise of its trailer.

More comedic than actually scary (but gory nonetheless), "Zombieland" works on many levels because the action is captivating, and the direction is smart.

Jesse Eisenberg ("Adventureland") summons the comedic awkwardness of Michael Cera to play an insecure geek trying to get from Texas to his parents in Columbus, Ohio, after a zombie infection takes over the world. Along the way, he runs into a gun-toting, fast-driving redneck (Woody Harrelson) going to Tallahassee.

Instead of revealing their true names, they go by the places they want to go. So Columbus and Tallahassee make unlikely road buddies - taking shots at zombies and looking for a Hostess Twinkie to satisfy Tallahassee's sweet tooth.

Tallahassee likes killing zombies for sport and is fond of making one death even more outrageous than the other. (He's hoping for the honor of "Zombie Kill of the Week.")

Soon enough, Columbus and Tallahassee meet comely sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), who weren't exactly saints before the world went to heck in a hand basket. The girls give Columbus and Tallahassee more than their share of headaches, making for some wonderfully wily moments.

If "Zombieland" has any major flaw, it's the turnabout of the sisters toward Columbus and Tallahassee. The devilish girls allowing the two men to ride along with them makes little sense considering their earlier actions. But that's a minor concern in the scope of the entire story.

Distinguishing "Zombieland" from other living dead adventures and spoofs is a finely tuned deadpan style, highlighted with a razor-sharp timing from Columbus' narration. As Columbus sees it, rules are needed to survive in this new world order.

Among his rules for survival: good cardio (out-of-shape folks are the first to go in a zombie invasion since they can't outrun those flesh-eating creatures); having a healthy fear of bathroom stalls; and always wearing your seat belt. You never know when you might need to slam on the brakes and send a zombie sliding off your car.

"Zombieland" also balances its laughs with the gruesomeness that such horror movies deserve to have. So never fear - or maybe you should - "Zombieland" doesn't forget it's supposed to frighten you, too.

During a time when cinematic horror can't grab on to an original vision to save its life, "Zombieland" is refreshing and a real standout.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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