Zombieland Review

After seeing the newest one in theaters I thought about re-watching the first Zombieland. I don't remember it being advertised when it was new. To be honest, I hadn't seen it uncut in roughly seven or eight years. Seeing it after that long, it's held up very well. A lot of comedy sprinkled around and one hell of a finale.

Basic premise, Columbus is venturing his way from Texas back to Ohio to see if any of his family survived. Along the way, it slowly goes to introducing Tallahassee and then later on with Wichita and Little Rock. If there is one thing I like, it's Columbus learning the origins of what the three have gone through. It sort of explains the unbridled rage of Tallahassee. I also forgot that the girls were bad guys at first and it may feel that way for some viewers at points throughout it.

The movie relies on its jokes and antics. Stuff like getting pissed over no Twinkies or a guy starting the zombie apocalypse by eating a contaminated burger. That's what works. It has a handful of action scenes and the writers slowly form it until it reaches the end with a big finale that is ridiculous but well made. A good emphasis on rock music encompasses the scenes along with the dreary cinematography. Add in a good pace and quick run time, you got a good solid film.

There isn't much else to say. Zombieland stands on its own and whenever the second one comes out next year on video, it should make for a great double feature. One of the films to see during October.

Score: 7.5 out of 10.

Zombieland: Double Tap Review

Zombies are very much mainstream. You got your TV fix with The Walking Dead. George Romero had his slice of films with X of the Dead films. Comedies like Shaun of the Dead poke fun of the genre. I would put Zombieland into the comedy realm despite the violence in it. Double Tap is something you wouldn't think would get made. It is a great follow up and one of the funniest films I've seen this year.

How does it stay fresh without treading on familiar territory? It's neat to get Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock back together with the same actors reprising them. And they're still killing any zombies that get in their way. They find refuge in the White House and call it home. That is, until the girls get tired of the guys and Little Rock meets a guy roughly her age. It's another adventure through the country to get her back and survive. But what they dealt with in the first, it's a whole new ballgame going for seconds.

What is good about Double Tap is that although it doesn't break any new ground, it put a lot into having enough to stand out. There's a new breed of zombies with some funny references. Like any apocalypse, you got people who are trying to survive. New characters like Madison, Berkeley, and Nevada help keep the film on its feet and leave you in awe with the humor and action. Kills are just as creative as the first and the pace is on par with it. The narration is a nice touch and some of the random moments are gut busting.

The antics of the characters provides a more funnier film. Nobody can do one liners in it like Tallahassee. There is a bigger emphasis on romance, but it's not shoved down your throat every second. It helps some of the humor and tone a little, though. With experience for a long time, the action is smarter and more developed. The tone and visual effects are top notch combined with the dreary cinematography. Add in the good use of music and its the recipe for how to be a strong comedy sequel.

My only big complaint is Madison. I don't mind a dipshit character and I get the joke, but she can be a little grating. And there are a few new characters that I felt could have had a few additional scenes. Can't expect a film to be perfect. Usually, comedy sequels are not as good. Not the case with Double Tap. It might be better than the original, if not, just as equal. Check it out in theaters. Stop by next week and I'll say my thoughts on the first film.

Score: 8 out of 10