Zombieland (2009)

Woody Harrelson should just star in every movie. What on earth is stopping this from happening? Brought to you by the writers of The Joe Schmo Show, Zombieland is an immensely entertaining zombie comedy that does almost everything right. After an unidentified plague turns most Americans into flesh-eating zombies, four survivors and hesitant compatriots try to find a safe place to live, knowing one another only by city-themed monikers to avoid growing too attached (in case anyone gets bitten).

Socially inept, multi-phobic Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has stayed alive due to his strict adherence to a long list of rules, including "Cardio", "Wear Your Seatbelt", "Avoid Bathrooms", and "Don't Be A Hero". Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) has become a badass, zombie-killing machine with a serious Twinkie craving after losing someone close to him. Sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) were con artists before the outbreak, and continue to use their trickster know-how on the guys, as a result of some trust issues. They eventually make their way to an amusement park rumored to be zombie-free, and learn that sticking together is the most important thing. Along with guns. Lots and lots of guns.

I agree with this summation: this movie is insanely fun, not very scary (as opposed to Shaun of the Dead which had some moments), and features enough Woody Harrelson to keep everyone happy. I liked Jesse Eisenberg a lot: he pulled off the "socially awkward young person who mumbles" schtick with intelligence and charm. His narration is very enjoyable but there's a little bit too much of it. Also, he uses the film's title too often; we get it, writers, we're watching Zombieland. Emma Stone is pretty foxy and ruthless, and Abigail Breslin rides the line between still being adorable while also surprisingly grown up. But mainly: Woody Harrelson. I love this guy so much. He can make anything entertaining, and just brings such an energy to every scene. His character's a lovable, gun-slinging jackass and that's all I could want.

The script is hilarious and inventive, incorporating the different survival rules in cool ways along with quite a lot of creative zombie killing. There's an absolutely amazing cameo that leads to possibly the best scene in a movie ever. Plus, there's a cute little love story thrown in. Zombieland just overall delivers in pretty much every way, and I imagine its awesomeness might even increase after multiple viewings.

4.5/5