'Zombieland' Movie Review

On his way back to Ohio to check on his family, Columbus hitches a ride with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a free-spirited zombie-killing machine who insists that they don't use real names (thus the cities). The odd couple is later joined by sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) in an uneasy partnership undermined by mutual distrust.

The foursome have competing interests -- Columbus wants to check on his family, the girls want to go to a Los Angeles amusement park named Pacific Playland that's supposedly zombie-free, and Tallahassee desperately wants a Twinkie -- but they have to learn to overcome their differences and trust issues in order to survive in the world they call Zombieland.

The script from relative newcomers Rhett Reece and Paul Wernick, most famous for creating the faux reality show The Joe Schmo Show, is often laugh-out-loud funny with self-aware humor that breaks the fourth wall through voiceovers and captions. Although the dialogue is smart -- without resorting to overly clever gimmickry or hip lingo -- the script isn't above tossing in slapstick elements that verge on a live-action Road Runner cartoon.

The refreshingly simple story has basically only four characters, but the cast delivers with great comedic timing and likable charisma that make the viewers invested in their fate, from Eisenberg's nebbish prattling to Harrelson's quirky good ol' boy hijinks.

Director Ruben Fleischer, like the writers relatively unknown, matches the film's wacky content with a dynamic flair, full of bright colors, sarcastic slow mo and brilliant digital effects that deliver more than one "wow" moment. Zombieland isn't particularly gory for a zombie movie, but it's got a number of outrageous kills that include perhaps the best, most seamless use of CGI I've seen in a horror flick.

While Zombieland has enough fast-paced gore to appease genre fans, it's a horror movie for people who don't like horror movies, and it just might be the most fun you have in a theater this year.

• Acting: B+ (Strong comedic performances, including a hilarious cameo from Bill Murray.)
• Direction: A- (Vivid and fun with distinct visual style.)
• Script: B+ (An uncluttered plot that allows the likable characters to shine.)
• Gore/Effects: A- (Superb CGI and gore effects, even if they're relatively tame for the genre.)
• Overall: A- (An escapist, belly-laughing treat.)

Zombieland is directed by Ruben Fleischer and is rated R by the MPAA for horror violence/gore and language. Release date: October 2, 2009.