Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Zombieland'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Horror and comedy usually go together like ice cream and steamed rice. Sure, you can mix them in a bowl, but what you end up with is a soupy mess. It's either jokes after jokes with an attempt to add in a monster or a scare or it's terrifying and the jokes simply seem out of place. 

That hasn't stopped filmmakers from trying this wild and volatile mixture, and it's safe to say the results are often mixed or disastrous. I won't start naming names here, but I'm sure at least one movie of that meets that rough criteria came to the top of your mind. But when the mold is broken, and the mixture is right, oh man, it's comedy and gory gold. Case in point the 2009 film, Zombieland. 

A young man known only as Columbus is wandering the wasteland that was once our world before Mad Cow disease mutated and jumped to human beings, turning a vast majority of the population into bloodthirsty and violent zombies that now rule the land. Columbus is searching for a safe haven and runs into a man known only as Tallahasse who invites Columbus along for a ride that will change their lives and the lives of two girls known only as Wichita and Little Rock forever as they traverse the wasteland known as Zombieland.  

If that plot seems a little too simple, well, it really is that easy and that's one of the many reasons Zombieland is such an outstanding film. Rather than going grandiose with the horror aspect, the story found a way to make everything funny...by focusing on quirky characters put into one hell of an extreme situation. Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Emma Stone all let their comedic genius shine here. From Tallahassee's love of Twinkies to Columbus' fear of clowns, it is the depth and dimension to these characters that instantly pulls you into this film, and don't get me wrong, the zombie gore is awesome too.
 
In fact, there are a few solid jump moments to be found as we traverse the remnants of our world, but the jokes are just fantastic, and there are plenty that leave you in tears. But perhaps the moment that steals the show...is the Bill Murray cameo. The man is comedic gold and holy hell is he beyond hilarious in this film. But aside from that, Zombieland is exactly what it should be, fun with a hint of scary and it turned out to be a completely and utterly enjoyable film.

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