Our lovable survivors are back in Zombieland: Double Tap and they make new friends, get a few new rides and of course kill zombies along the way. Is the quirky return to fun zombie antics worth another visit? Here is my full review of Ruben Fleischer’s sequel.
Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.
After a decade the zombie filled world hasn’t changed that much. Our original foursome of heroes are still bad ass at killing, though not KILL OF THE WEEK level. The group ventures to the White House to find a “home” base but the ladies become disillusioned and jet. Once again we are set on the road. The premise is simple and all the fun pacing of the original film are captured perfectly.
The real highlights of the movie start with South Korean Chung-hoon Chung’s inclusion as the film’s Cinematographer. His apt knowledge of how to show the gory side of death are on a nice level for the film. Granted the sophistication level isn’t up to his past work, he still knows how to beautifully shoot murderous mayhem. Zoey Deutch is the other standout element. She is a fantastic breath of fresh air in the form of ditzy Madison. She is the perfect foil to Emma Stone’s hardened Wichita and Deutch has just the right comedic touch to really steal every moment. Honestly the film is worth just her scenes. Rosario Dawson, Thomas Middleditch and Luke Wilson are fun as well, but merely cameos in this sequel.
Overall though the film is just a complete rehashing of the original script and thus rather boring. We aren’t introduced into a whole new world. We do get a “new” zombie that basically just requires a few more explosive shots. The stakes aren’t heightened and the lack of danger for our foursome is rather disappointing. I’m not going to shy away from the one beating of the film, it basically is just setting up a third boring film. The movie could take it to another level and give us real danger or a crazy plot twist but don’t count on it. Instead go watch Joker if you want murder in your life. Or watch Judy if you want to see much better acting. Or even go see the new animated Addams Family if you want to see a refreshing take on a previously seen work. In the end, it’s got all the things you expect but outside of Deutch and Chung’s contribution this film is not that important.
Meh.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Written by David Callaham, Rhett Reese, Paul Warnick
Rated R
Selig Rating C
Running Time 1hr 39min
Action / Comedy / Horror
Wide Release Oct 18th
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Bill Murray, Thomas Middleditch, Luke Wilson, & Zoey Deutch
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
