At the End of the Reel

Zombieland (2009)
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone
Canadian Rating: 14A
3 stars out of 4 (Good)




By Albert Tam

Let’s face it: zombies have never been the brightest bunch of the horror cannon amongst the likes of vampires, werewolves, and demons. In fact, they’re dumb and convenient to kill which is why when they are juxtaposed to some wisecracking humans, something magical almost takes place.

Zombieland follows the story and narration of a young teenage survivor (Jesse Eisenberg) who tries to find his way back home. We never learn his name or the names of the people he meets, just their destinations and along his journey he encounters a manic zombie killer named Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) who is on the hunt for the now-rare Twinkie, and two con-women named Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who are quite good, at well, conning. Shaky introductions are abound but as the film wears on, these 4 people realize they need each other in more ways they can think and the zombie essence of Zombieland becomes the supporting terrain, not the main event.

So what is this movie about? It’s not about zombies or blood or guts, it’s about the characters and relationships, which is what screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have wisely decided to focus on. Yes, this movie is a comedy and yes, it is quite funny, but you’ll be surprised at the emotional depths that some of these characters have. For a horror movie, I’m thrilled to say that there are no caricatures here, just really well-developed guys and gals, plenty of the undead, and an interesting cameo by a celebrity. Who he is I will not say but his performance as himself is probably one of this film’s best highlights.

Actor Jesse Eisenberg (see Adventureland), who acts with a Michael Cera-esque style but more naturalistic, does fine work here as the uncertain teenager in a situation way over his head. He lives his existence following these “Zombie Rules” he’s outlined which are primarily: 1) Good cardio, 2) Wear a seatbelt, 3) Do a double-tap. His conservatism with these rules mixed with Woody Harrelson’s Tallahassee creates a strange and illogical bromance that just works in the over-the-top context of this picture.

Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone as the two con-women also put in some great work here, but are for the most part underdeveloped as characters. There is plenty of tension and implied relationships abound but much of the subtext comes entirely left field, like why Wichita likes Columbus or how Little Rock sees Tallahassee – the father-daughter relationship gets hinted at, but never gets entirely fulfilled.

Still, Zombieland is a bit of a surprise. It won’t thrill you as much as 28 Days Later or make you laugh as hard as Shaun of the Dead, but there’s something to really appreciate about an 80 minute picture that makes you feel like you’ve gotten to know the characters for a lot longer.

I left the movie theatre not moved or shaken, just saying to myself: “Whatta good time.” And a bloody good one it was.