Zombieland (2009)

Zombieland is a fun grim-reaper-style road trip across America by what looks like the last four survivors of a plague that turned the entire nation overnight into flesh-eating zombies. As would be expected, zombies pop up almost anywhere, feral and grabby and running fast, and they don't stop unless killed by a double shotgun blast or similar kinetic impact (baseball bat, banjo, and Hummer are a few examples that come to mind). Jesse Eisenberg is Wichita, a neurotic antisocial nerd who has survived by strict adherence to a list of rules -- Cardio, Double Tap, Beware of Public Restrooms, etc. His narrative voice lends a puckish yet grim reality to the movie. Woody Harrelson is Tallahassee, a git-er-done wild man who gives kick-ass a good name. (He has a sensitive side too.) This unlikely pair encounters two through-thick-and-thin sisters (Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin) with trust issues who will do whatever it takes to survive. They are very good at what they do too -- but everybody needs somebody sometime. If you can appreciate zombie movies, Zombieland is quite enjoyable and funny with many zombie attacks and inventive zombie takedowns. It is not entirely a lark because being (probably) the sole human survivors tends to be a bummer -- but our quartet holds onto hope for as long as possible. By the way, keep on the lookout with them for a fifth human survivor -- you should love that cameo (if one were to exist). Enjoy! 5 stars.(6-16-2011, posted 3-3-2016)