10 years down the line Ruben Fleischer reunites the old-team for the sequel zombie comedy which stays faithful to its predecessor with hilarious stupidity.
It’s been ten years since Ruben Fleischer’s zombie comedy Zombieland became a bit of a sleeper hit, making this picture into somewhat of a cult movie. Now Fleischer has reunited the same team and gun-toting cast of Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin for the highly anticipated sequel that stays faithful to the first with better gags and a whole host of Friday night popcorn levity.
The movie commences by joining the miss-matched quartet of Tallahassee (Harrelson), Columbus (Eisenberg), Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Breslin) as they put down roots in an abandoned and dilapidated White House. Columbus and Wichita are still very much a couple while Tallahassee has developed an over-protective Father trait towards Little Rock. Like any youngster, Little Rock dreams of leaving the nest, finding herself and love. When the mention of Marriage raises its ugly head between Wichita and Columbus, Wichita gets itchy feet and much like repeating the same troupe from the first, both women hot tail it out of there leaving the boys all alone once again.
It may be ten years later, but Fleischer hasn’t fixed what wasn’t broken from the first. Essentially it’s a road trip movie were four random people have to come together in a post-apocalyptic America which is now overrun by Zombies. There end goal, to find a safe home and to rescue Little Rock after she elopes with some random hippy. This wouldn’t be the gory, blood-thirsty hot mess of an adventure without violently taking out a few Zombies along the way. Except for this time around, some of those Zombie’s have evolved, become more intelligent and take more than a double-tap to end their human eating habits.
Harrelson, Eisenberg, Stone and Breslin all reprise their roles like they never left this world of Zombie danger. Whilst the action and “let’s kick some dicks” gags fill in the road journey of rescue. As Little Rock is out of the picture for the majority of the 99 minutes run time, the fourth spot is quickly filled are by Zoey Deutch’s ditzy, vanity obsessed Madison – who has a brief dalliance Columbus – who becomes the recipient of a lot of Tallahassee’s digs. Rosario Dawson steps into the fold as the no-nonsense owner (and love interest) of an Elvis hotel shrine; When a visit to Elvis Presley’s home of Graceland turns out to be a big disappointment, the crew land on her doorstep which leads to a hilarious scene of playing Elvis dress-up, Zombie killing and a doppelganger showdown full of male bravado and toxicity.
It’s certainly one of those films that don’t pretend to be something it isn’t, it’s not meant to be taken seriously and it doesn’t break any barriers. Yeah, the plot isn’t great and there are a few eye-rolling moments were some of the women lose respect for themselves after throwing themselves at the guys that don’t deserve them. Fleischer’s return to Zombie form is pure popcorn fodder, let him and this reunited cast take your troubles away and eat out your brain for a stupidly hilarious ride.
Oh and make sure you stick around until the very end, you’ll be graced with both a post and very end credits scene you won’t want to miss.
Zombieland: Double Tap is out in cinemas October 18th
