The zombies in Zombieland are seriously frightening, and the film provides a few laughs. While not as clever or as scary as the underrated Jennifer’s Body, the strong lead performances make this diverting film enjoyable. Zombieland is lightweight and fun, but instantly forgettable.

Like many road movies, there is not much plot. Zombies prowl the streets looking for humans to eat.  Narrator Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) appears to be the only human left in Texas. He explains that he survived because, “I play it safe and I follow the rules.” There are many numbered rules, and they appear in large letters on the screen as Columbus recites and explains them. Columbus is an insecure guy with many phobias, the opposite of tough guy Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson). The two survivors meet and travel together fighting zombies across the country. They encounter sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who argue with them and join them on the road. Yes, all the characters have names of American cities.

Jesse Eisenberg, so good in The Squid and the Whale and Adventureland, gives another excellent performance.  His deadpan delivery and neurotic nerd energy are convincing and appealing, as Columbus recalls weekend evenings spent with soft drinks and computer games.  When he discusses his irritable bowel syndrome, warns of public bathrooms and recites rule “number two,” he manages irony and insecurity. In fact, the rules and Eisenberg are high points in the film. When Tallahassee berates him for allowing two girls to take the pair hostage, Eisenberg defensively replies, “Girls mature much faster than boys.” Eisenberg and Harrelson have good comedic chemistry as buddies on the road, and Harrelson is outrageous and hilarious. Tallahassee loves killing zombies, and proclaims, “Time to nut up or shut up.”  He is also willing to risk his life for a Twinkie, and shows his despair at finding a truck filled only with Snowballs by growling about hating coconut. It is strange to see an almost teenage Abigail Breslin, but she is still earnest and adorable. One of my favorite scenes in the film shows mundane backseat and front seat conversations as the characters change seats in the car and change conversation partners. Breslin has the scene’s funniest line, which director Ruben Fleischer says was improvised, as she explains to a perplexed Tallahassee the intricacies of Hannah Montana. Bill Murray has a very funny cameo as himself, and the scenes in his “home” are some of the best in the film.  I wish there were more of these scenes and more of Bill Murray.

The strongest scenes come at the end of the film. The climactic scenes at the Pacific Playland amusement park manage to be both funny and exciting; a combination that is in short supply for most of the film. There are a few funny adventures on the road as the characters make their way to Los Angeles, but at only 88 minutes, Zombieland still feels too long.

Zombieland.  Directed by Ruben Fleischer.  Jesse Eisenberg (Columbus), Woody Harrelson (Tallahassee),Emma Stone (Wichita), Abigail Breslin(Little Rock) and Bill Murray (Himself). Columbia Pictures, 2009.

 

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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