Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg
Woody Harrelson
Emma Stone
Abigail Breslin
Zoey Deutch
Rosario Dawson
Avon Jogia
Rated: R
Run time: 93 minutes
(2019)
6/10 Would Recommend
The 2019 “Zombieland” sequel takes place ten years after the first film. When the gang finally finds a new place to live, Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) runs away with her new friend, Berkley (Avan Jogia). Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), and Wichita (Emma Stone) hit the road to look for the youngest member of their family.
“Zombieland: Double Tap” would’ve been a good sequel in 2011. Not to say that it isn’t a sequel that isn’t deserved. It is. It’s long over due, and that hurts it.
One of the things that make the sequel to the 2009 pop-culture hit, is that, the ten year difference in between the two films isn’t doing it any favors. The zombie novelty hasn’t worn off but it isn’t at the same height that was then. Then, it hadn’t happened yet. Before “Zombieland” the widespread popularity of the zombie genre hadn’t taken off yet; at least not the way that it would. Before 2009 there were only a few very serious representations of zombies and other flesh-eating monsters in Hollywood films, and other than Edgar Wright’s “Shaun of the Dead,” a satiric approach was never taken. In 2009, “Zombieland” expanded upon this idea and, in the process, revolutionized the R-rated horror/comedy drama, while increasing the demand for zombies on TV and film.
After “Zombieland” came AMC’s “The Walking Dead” (and the spin-off series, “Before the Walking Dead”), “World War Z,” “Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse,” and even a film that connects it to “Pride and the Prejudice.” But the important one mentioned is that first one. “The Walking Dead.” That’s what’s helped zombies on the big and silver screen survive. “Zombieland” is brilliant because it noticed a trend with films like “Dawn of the Dead” and “I am Legend,” and took a new and fresh approach to the genre. Over a ten-year gap, though, things have changed. Not as many people are tuning in to “The Walking Dead” anymore.
Was “Zombieland” forgotten? Personally, a “Zombieland” sequel couldn’t have been more anticipated. But, the sequel seems to have lost a certain essence that couldn’t be replaced.
The problem with the writing is that it tries harder with the comedy than it does anything else; and “Zombieland” is not a comedy. It’s funny, but the first film does not center on the jokes; it centers on the characters and the situation that they’re in. They just happen to be funny. The film has running jokes that aren’t really that funny. Many jokes fall flat, and even more become repetitive. There are so many conveniences in the writing that are written into the script for the sake of a joke and to steer the plot in a simple way. That said, you’re bound to laugh a few times throughout the movie.
The film has a budget twice as much as its predecessor; and other than adding even more characters to the franchise, a bulk of the budget was spent on special effects.
The biggest praise this film can receive, other than it’s nice to see the characters come together again, and these actors are good at portraying them, is that the action element is on par with, if not better than the first one. If you’re going to see the movie for gruesome zombie killing, you’ll enjoy it. There’s no denying the zombie killing aspect is one of the most fun parts about the film. And the film overall is a lot of fun. One benefit to having done the film ten years later is that there’s a lot more that filmmakers can do with technology now. You can tell a huge portion of the films budget is spent on CGI extras being blown to bits, run down, and exploded, but, hey that’s what you get when you watch a film called “Zombieland;” and it doesn’t fall short.
You could compare this film to “The Hangover II.” It’s like an amplified version of the first film, and its most popular character becomes a caricature of himself in the sequel. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) is back with the gang and it’s very clear in the film that he has become the character in the film that’s used for laughs. The film stays true to his character from the first one, but he’s even more loud and belligerent, in a way that’s intended to be funny.
The “Zombieland” sequel isn’t bad. Again, it’d be nearly as good as the first one way back when. Despite its flaws, “Zombieland: Double Tap” is fun experience for zombie fans.
The Film Section 