
As Extra Criticum's go-to zombie guy, I'm proud to say that Zombieland is a fine additional to cinema's zombie canon. It fits into the sub-genre of zombie comedies and is on par with that category's previous best efforts Shaun of the Dead and Dead Alive. However, it also stands out from both of those films by being an out-and-out comedy. There is a fair amount of gore in Zombieland, but its focus is always laughs. And character-based laughs at that. The script actually feels more like a TV pilot at times, really taking the time to set up who our remaining human characters are. As such, you really grow to like these folks and not only don't you want them to die, but you're actually even happy to just hang out with them when there isn't a single zombie on screen. It's been quite some time since I watched a zombie flick where the humans were more interesting then the living dead. Not even the last two George Romero flicks were able to reach that bar.
Especially good was Jesse Eisenberg, who between this, Adventureland, and The Squid and the Whale remains my vote for the best neurotic, over-educated 20-something nice guy in movies. Sorry Michael Cera, Eisenberg's stole your crown. (And if Eisenberg wants to stretch as an actor, he's got the right look for playing Paul Westerberg in a biopic. Just saying.)
Rubern Fleischer's direction keeps the movie from looking like a TV pilot, though. He packs each frame with such little details that this truly feels like a post zombie apocalypse landscape. Also, he's got great timing. He knows how to land a visual joke, which in turn means he also knows how to land a scare. Horror and comedy are siblings, after all. After seeing the mess that was Jennifer's Body, it was refreshing to see a director who understands basic comedy or horror directing. Also unlike Jennifer's Body and far too many other horror or comedy movies lately, Zombieland is a refreshing short 90 minutes. It's a tight film that never wears out its welcome.My only problem with Zombieland? Way too much unnecessary voice over. I'm guessing some of this was added by the studio (especially the overuse of the film's would be catchphrase "Nut up or shut up."), but whatever the case, it was distracting. In one scene, it also undercut a nice, rare moment of tenderness. This isn't to say all the film's voiceover was bad or unneeded. The zombie survival rules and the way they appear on screen is actually a really clever touch. But there is no excuse for this much voiceover.
Still, Zombieland is a light, fun, breath of fresh air for zombie movies. I'd recommend it to anyone, dead or alive. It might not join my Top 5 zombie flicks yet, but it's definitely right up there.
Oh, and if you haven't heard, there's a celebrity cameo halfway through that is hysterical. Try to avoid any spoilers.
Brendan resides in Los Angeles with his wife, young adult author and freelance writer Jennifer Chen, and their three-legged cat, Bentley.
[ed note: Brendan first shared his views on all things zombie with E.C., here.]