ZOMBIELAND (2009)

Directed By: Ruben Fleischer Written By: Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick Cinematography By: Michael Bonvillian Editor: Alan Baumgarten Cast: Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin, Emma Stone, Amber Heard, Searching for family. In the early twenty-first century, zombies have taken over America. A shy and inexperienced college student in Texas has survived by following his 30 rules: such as "look in the back seat," "double-tap," "avoid public restrooms." He decides to travel to Ohio to see if his parents are alive. He gets a ride with a boisterous zombie-hating good-old boy headed for Florida, and soon they confront a young woman whose sister has been bitten by a zombie and wants to be put out of her misery. The sisters were headed to an LA amusement park they've heard is zombie free. Can the kid from Ohio get to his family? And what about rule thirty one? The script, originally a television pilot, was heavily revised to become a feature film. This film is exciting from beginning to end, full of earned great laughs and energy. The film is bursting with original and fun ideas. The visuals in the film are memorable and amped up with energy. The film doesn’t feel like it was made off a gimmick. It feels like the filmmakers really know the genre and subject. It’s good to see Woody Harrelson’s back in his element. After years of supporting roles in smaller films. Here he is back s a co-star in a major release. He seems at Peace in his character. Like he is enjoying himself in what he is doing. Jessie Eisenberg plays his usual nebbish, but like Michael Cera it doesn’t seem to get old or annoying. I am not one to necessarily get tired of people playing one note. If you are good at it why not woody allen has been doing it for over 30 years. So Jessie Eisenberg and Michael Cera seeming to do the same thing doesn’t bother me where as at times Jack Black does. Then again Jessie Eisenberg has an Oscar nomination under his belt. All of these actors have talent. It’s just it pays more as well as make them more recognizable doing what they are known for best. Like leading man Comedic actors. The 3rd act of the fillm becomes more of an action film/Video game experience as the face an army of zombies but still manages to stay in it’s comedic spirit. More the type of zombie film we are used to. That is what really makes the film shine. It could have just been a stupid crowd pleaser with a lot of cool shots and special effects, but the screenplay works off of actual ideas that keep coming up. That work within the films plot and in the film it shows actual thought and planning went into the screenplay and the filming. Which i admire because more and more because most films lack exactly that and feel they can get by on star power and special effects. John Carpenter turned down a chance to direct. William Goldman Supposedly did uncredited rewrites. Both Evan Rachel Wood and Megan Fox turned down the role of Wichita, while Amber Tamblyn auditioned. Jamie Bell was originally cast as Columbus but dropped out. Taylor Lautner was considered to replace him but couldn't due other commitments. Thankfully. It is revealed in the DVD commentary that Emma Stone was originally cast to play the role of "406". The film almost like it’s namesake is a fun ride. The apocalypse has never been so much fun. It creates characters and stays entertaining even though there are only really 4 of them and usually that type of scenario and cast are reserved for dramas or plays turned into films. Columbus has 32 rules for surviving Zombieland, ten of which are identified in the motion picture. As the rules are punctuated, and in the order in which they appear in the movie, they are, "Rule #1. Cardio"; "Rule #2. Double tap"; "Rule #3. Beware of bathrooms"; "Rule #4. Seatbelts"; "Rule #7. Travel light"; "Rule #31. Check the back seat"; "Rule #18. Limber up"; "Rule #22. When in doubt, know your way out"; "Rule #32. Enjoy the little things"; and "Rule #17. Don't be a hero" (later corrected to "Be a hero"). An eleventh rule of surviving Zombieland is identified in a deleted scene. As punctuated in the deleted scene, the rule is "Rule #2. Ziploc bags". In voice-over, Columbus explains, "You've got enough problems. Moisture shouldn't be one of them." SPOILER Bill Murray’s cameo is non stop hilarity yet feels totally true due to the world that the film creates. John C. Reilly also cameos as a bathroom zombie. As does Writer/ Director Mike White as a Zombie Victim. Patrick Swayze was offered a cameo role (Eventually played by bill murray) as a zombie before his cancer diagnosis. His scene would have parodied other Swayze movies like Ghost and Dirty Dancing. Zombie cameo roles were also offered to Joe Pesci, Mark Hamill, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Bacon, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Matthew McConaughey. SPOILER END The "Zombie Kill of the Week" was leftover from the script's origin as a TV pilot. Every weekly episode would have a Zombie Kill of the Week performed by characters on the show. Definitely a good addition to your film library GRADE:B+