Zombieland

Review by Sean Lynch

Movie over Shaun Of The Dead, there is a new Zombie King in town - and it's as American as Apple Pie, it is Zombieland.

Zombieland focuses on two of the last remaining normal men, who have somehow found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. 

Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg - aka: Micheal Cera Version 2.0) is a big wuss – but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson - who is looking interestingly "face tight" of late) is an AK-totin’, zombie-slayin’ badass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth.

As they join forces with Wichita (Emma Stone - who has stepped up the hottness factor considerably since Superbad) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin - getting more annoying with each passing movie), who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.

Zombieland is a lot of fun... an insane amount of fun actually. Is it the funniest movie ever? No. Is it the coolest movie ever? No. Is it 100% enjoyable - hell yes.

There isn't a flat spot in sight, the laughs come thick and fast, the cast have some great chemistry with each other, the visual style is fresh and fun (gotta love the use of "3D rules") and - most importantly - the Zombie kills are frequent and inventive.

However, what kicks Zombieland up from "Yeah, that was pretty good" to "A Mother F**king Cult Classic!" can be attributed to one of the coolest, most unexpected celebrity cameos a film has ever seen. It has been reported that originally Patrick Swayze was meant to take on the role (but pulled out when he become sick) and that Dan Akroyd, Joe Pesci, Vanne Damme among others were all approached and declined. The celebrity who did agree, did so the day before filming.

I don't wish to ruin the surprise - so I won't say who the celebrity in question is, and I suggest you don't try to investigate who it is either - because the reveal may very well make your year.

4 out of 5

Zombieland
Australian release: 3rd December, 2009
Official Site: Zombieland
Cast: Amber Heard, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin
Director: Ruben Fleischer