Photo Credit: Jessica Miglio © 2019 CTMG, Inc.
Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
Written by: Rhett Reese, Paul Wemick and Dave Callaham
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, Emma Stone, Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch, Luke Wilson
There’s a point midway through Ruben Fleischer’s “Zombieland: Double Tap” when I asked myself how our fearless group of survivors managed to get so lucky to have supplies to survive in the first place.
Then I remembered that it doesn’t matter how they survive, just that they do survive.
“Zombieland: Double Tap” picks up ten years after “Zombieland” with Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone all reprising their roles. In an early scene, Columbus (Eisenberg) offers a voice over with an explanation of each type of zombie, committing to the fact that the group has become adept at identifying and killing each particular zombie type.
Screenwriters Rhett Reese, Paul Wemick and Dave Callaham use Columbus’s rules as the basis for the story as each character is reintroduced to us. Tallahassee (Harrelson), Little Rock (Breslin) and Wichita (Stone) are all holed up in the abandoned White House.
One thing that stood out for me in this film is the chemistry between each of the four actors – there was an energy between them that, even when they split up, they had fun doing this film and that translates to the fun atmosphere.
Zombies can be pretty serious business (just ask Edgar Wright and George Romero). Fleischer uses the character’s chemistry and the constant pop culture references peppered into this story, along with Columbus’s rules to carry the story, which is really the dressing for an unfortunately limp narrative.
I respect the ambition behind bringing the cast back together after a ten – year hiatus. It gave Fleischer and crew a chance to introduce new characters in a very unique way; Zoey Deutch plays Madison. If you’ve seen the trailer, you have some sense of the type of character she plays, but she’s an absolute gem of an addition to an already stellar cast. Rosario Dawson plays Nevada, who gives Tallahassee a run for his money. So much so, that he’s ‘all shook up.’
The Southwest gets some more love in this story, namely Albuquerque (Luke Wilson) and Flagstaff (Thomas Middleditch). These reflective characters serve to keep our loveable heroes on track, but also remind us to stick to a script.
Although zombies don’t have a schedule, they don’t think. They just feed. Mercilessly. The introduction of Nevada, Albuquerque and Flagstaff all remind us that our heroes are just as resourceful as they are determined to survive. This connective section of the film, brought home the realization for me that
“Zombieland: Double Tap” is more than just a fun romp; it is a reminder of our resourcefulness and ingenuity when our backs are up against the wall. Oh, I know you’re going to want to go to the rest room after the movie, but don’t rush off – stay through all of the credits. You’ll thank me.
2.75 out of 4
