A shy college student named Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) goes an an escape while he discover that the wolrd is invaded by flesh eating zombie's and runs into a zombie hating redneck killer named Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) in which they both run into two girls named Witchita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who con's others along their journey but manage to join forces with them as they try to travel across a zombie-filled America and finding hopes to be free from the invasion.
Alot of great intense moments with zombie's eating and attacking locls in the city including one belching while munching away on a corpse offering some decent timing with the comedy-horror elements used here as well as showing to the audience that it's both equally that.
Also some great moments on the lead character Columbus struggling to get to his vehicle as well as odd jumping moments with a zombie in front of his vehicle and him pushing the gas pedal in which this gives you a chilling feeling that he's gonna wind up in an accident while you continue to watch this.
Also a good moment when both Columbus and Tallahasse first encounter one another to see if one of them is a zombie pointing guns at one another as this looked well focused by what they were saying and doing towards one another. Also some funny moments when they spot a hostess truck on the side of the ditch which Tallahasse is trying to look for twinkies and is angry that there is none which offers some nice chuckles and showing a good sense of humor to the story too.
Perfect moment when the two of them prepare for battle before going into a grocery store along with nice moments on them watching out for zombie's while entering. Good moments when some attack as well as a nice camera shot on a burly one ready to attack and them blowing this one away.
A cheesy situation with two girls named Witchita and Little Rock tricking these two guys in giving them their weapons to make out one of them is infected only to hold them up and steal their vehicle as the moments here didn't look too natural on the phony sadness thinking one of them had to be killed. Yet when these guys get tricked seemed to work in better as you really feel like hating these two bitches for setting them up.
Perfect still moments when both Columbus and Tallahassee check up on a vehicle by a run down house which gives you the chills wondering if a zombie will run up and attack. Also good shots on cut off hands of a steering wheel as this grabs your attention wondering if a zombie is inside. Plus great uplifting moments on the two of them realising they got themselves some transporatation as this makes you want to join in the fun here.
Nice moment while these two are driving they spot a zombie eating another one on the road with Tallahasse about to knock this corpse over as this was a good add on to the story here.
A lame and obviously corny flashback moment with Witchita trying to trick a gas station owner on getting free gas while making out that she lost her expensive ring and conning him for a reward to find it as the discussions with him looked obvious that he was a total male bimbo and tried tso hard to be funny which it wasn't at all and looked quite stupid. Yet it shows a history on these girls on what they do to con others.
However, there's a good flashback sequence involving Columbus when he explains his girlfriend getting depressed and then falling asleep next she's a zombie in which we spot alot of intense moments with her trying to leap out and attack him as he slowly tries to figure out on what to do since it makes you watch to see on how he manages to escape from her which is a perfect intense horror moment in the story.
Also some great moments between Columbus and Tallahasse and once again Witchita and Little Rock pointing guns at one another in a vehicle as this is an eye catcher wondering which side will give in. The scene looked nice and clever while the story is rolling along.
Good shots on them driving through Los Angeles along the deserted and wrecked up road and town especially on Hollywood Blvd along with a street performer now a zombie about to attack one of them which was a nice add on here. Also an average moment on them breaking into Bill Murray's home and partying out. Then we spot a good shot on what we may think is a zombie rising up in the home and ready to attack only to find out it's Bill Murray goofing around. Also silly moments on him and Tallahasse pretending to be ghostbusters. I was think to myself ho hum. But there;s a moment that grabs your attention is when Bill decides to creep up on Columbus which isn't a good idea since the zombie invasion is happening which of course horror films especially this one wasn't meant to make wise choices. It's also very silly afterwards when the tragic moment starts to happen here and definetely not a scene to be taken seriously at all.
Alot of great shots on both Witchita and Little Rock turning on the carnival lights and enjoying the rides in which this leaves you a dark impression that this will atract the zombies. Gooddark shots on the zombies spotting this moment and a bunch of them going to this theme park. Also great moments on tyhe two fo them on a ride that shoots up and down as well as a zombie trying to grab onto them while they try to shoot these things while being on this ride which looks quite funny to watch even if this moment was meant to be dark.
Also some great action moments with Columbus and Tallahasse crashing into the theme park to save the day as there's alot of great exciting moments with Tallahasse on some sort of a small roller coaster while trying to shoot and dodge zombies on it as well as Columbus meeting face to face with a clown zombie and his battles too as this was nicely drawn in on these situations and more moments too of what happens here. Perfect action sequences and the best scene's ever in this average zombie flick.
Bottom line is that the film was well done and shot but sometimes the writing in the story was quite stale and unfunny plus it was a little trite and tiresome too. Good horror effects though and some nice action moments on the shootings which made certain pieces fairly entertaining to watch. Also one of those films that tried to carry on the comedy-horror zombie tradition of Shaun of the Dead but that one was funnier and a better one to watch too.
The acting stands out quite nicely here as lead actor Jesse Eisenberg (Columbus) concentrates well on his role as he does a nice job acting serious with his narration and having an okay voice while doing this. Also does a good job with his anxious reactions while struggling against the onscreen zombies and panicking which shows a good high adrenaline here. Knew on how to spring into action with his blocking while getting his rifle and shooting. Also does well with his sympathetic attitude in other situations along with acting in love and acting fairly convincing with his romantic attitude. Plus does well with his stern and frusterated attitude in another scene which really shows off well onto the screen. Plus does a great job while battling his worst fear which he really got into this big time. Seemed like he knew his characterisitics fairly well here.
Woody Harrelson (Tallahassee) stood out the most in the whole cast as a redneck hunter in which he does an okay job with his comedic timing while acting sarcastic or getting to the point with stuff plus was good with his rough actions as well as going into battle and acting adrenalised here. Also does well acting full of life when he finds luck as well as doing a nice job while partying which he got into the feel of things pretty well here. Plus shows some good moments while being upset which really shows off as well too.
Emma Stone (Wichita) knew on how to portray a take charge type of role in which she does well with her conning behavior as well as doing a good job by acting somehwat decevingly innocent at first. Also shows a good tough behavior too which was another nice pointer too. Shows off some good energy acting outgoing and full of life in other spots along with showing some good scared emtions when she is in a struggling situation too.
Abigail Breslin (Little Rock) knew her stuff as a clever 12 year old and having a no nonsense attitude which shows off incredibly well. Also does a good thrusting action with her shotgun showing that she means business and not letting anyone taking advantage of her. She brought a great focus into her part and was the perfect choice for this. Also does a nice job acting happy talking about a theme park showing a nice change to her personality coming across as a nice kid. Also acts believeably excited and happy while going on rides and making all of this just as believeable too.
Bill Murray (Himself) makes an interesting appearance in the film as he seemed to act like a natural ham here and does this with nice style here even if some of the writing was fairly cheesy. Portrayed a likeable figure as well as really wanting to get into the fun stuff here too.
Lots of bloody neck bites and body pieces being eaten with tons of bloodsheds here and there.
Zombie's heads are crushed or blown off.
Cut off hands are revealed on a steering wheel.
Blood gunshots are revealed in different parts of the film.
Nice composing by David Sardy in which there's some good deep violin playing type of warnings which works in well every time for a horror film. Also some good trombone playing and peaceful mainstream sounds for the mellow moments. Alot of good drumbeats for the zombie attacks or battlings in which this is also often used in today's horror standards and stands out well here too. Plus we get some awesome heavy guitar riffs for the zombie invasion at a theme park as this sounds way more original than some terrifying classical music and makes the scene's enjoyable to watch.
A nice kicks ass songtrack too mainly the old school stuff is what I like for example:
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica for the opening credits which seems very fitting since the song is extremely dark sounding with the real heavy metal guitar playing and insane vocalising giving the film a balls to the wall feel and hearing the lyrics seems to suit on what's going on with the zombie invansion and attacking other victims.
We briefly hear "Feels So Good" by Chuck Mangione while the main character Columbus is driving in their vehicle as this adds a nice setting for what he's trying to do in order to dodge some zombies on the road.
A great fast rock beat titled "Everybody Wants Some" by Van Halen while the two lead characters hotwire another vehicle and drive away acting full of life as the song sounded perfectly lifelike itself so this blended in marvellously.
There's a flashback sequence with "Puppy Love" by Paul Anka when the character Tallahassee bathes his puppy which offers a nice touch for some comedy into the film and a good choice for the song here since it's a golden oldie by a former teen idol of the 50's.
Nice partying type of environment when the people crash into Billy Murray's home with "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. on them dancing around and having a good time which the rhythm of the song goes with the flow here.
Great song on "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult when Tallahasse is smoking up since most teens did this in the 70's while listening to this track and works every time for a moment like this one.
Tallahassee: [discovers Hostess truck filled with Sno-Balls] Sno-Balls? Sno-Balls? Sno Balls? Where's the fucking Twinkies?
Columbus: I love Sno-Balls.
Tallahassee: I hate coconut. Not the taste, consistency.
Columbus: [eats a Sno Ball] Fresh.
Tallahassee: Oh, this Twinkie thing, it ain't over yet.
Tallahassee: [referring to Wichita and Little Rock, who previously hijacked them] They're in the back, aren't they?
Little Rock: [pops up holding shotgun] Just me.
Columbus: I'm really sorry. She was like a crouching tiger...
Tallahassee: You got taken hostage by a 12 year old?
Columbus: Well, girls mature faster than boys. She's way ahead of where I was at that age.
Little Rock: Twelve's the new twenty. Gun please.
Tallahassee: Like you would ever use that thing
[Little Rock shoots in the air]
Tallahassee: Don't kill me with my own gun.
Columbus: [a zombie kills an obese man] Poor fat bastard.
Columbus: Fuck this clown.
Columbus: [a zombie is crushed by a falling piano] Poor flat bastard.
Tallahassee: [Upon finding a Hummer filled with rifles] Thank God for rednecks!
Little Rock: Have you heard about Pacific Playland? There are no zombies there.
Columbus: The amusement park?
Little Rock: Yep!
Tallahassee: That place totally blows! [Little Rock and Wichita shoot Tallahassee angry looks]
Tallahassee: ... my mind. Just fun for the whole family.
Little Rock: Who's Bill Murray?
Tallahassee: I've never hit a kid before. I mean, that's like asking who Gandhi is.
Little Rock: Who's Gandhi?
Columbus: [to an exasperated Little Rock] Oh, this is so exciting, you're about to learn who you're gonna call... it's Ghostbusters.
Tallahassee: Bill Murray, you're a zombie? [Wichita hits Bill in his back with a golf club]
Bill Murray: [cries in pain] Ow, I'm on fire! Ouch!
Tallahassee: You're not a zombie, you're talking and... You're okay?
Bill Murray: The hell I am.
Wichita: I'm sorry. I didn't know it was... It was "you" you.
Tallahassee: Are you...? What's with the get-up?
Bill Murray: Oh, I do it to blend in. You know. Zombies don't mess with other zombies. Buddy of mine, makeup guy, he showed me how to do this. Corn starch. You know, some berries, a little licorice for the ladies. Suits my lifestyle, you know. I like to get out and do stuff. Just played nine holes on the Riviera. Just walked on. Nobody there.
Tallahassee: Goddamn it, Bill fucking Murray! I had to get that out. I don't mean to gush. This is so surreal. I mean, you probably get this all the time. Maybe not lately, but I'm such a huge fan of yours. You know, I swear, I've seen every one of your movies a million times. I even loved your dramatic roles and just everything. Six people left in the world and one of them is Bill fucking Murray. I know that's not your middle name. I've been watching you since I was like... Since I could masturbate. I mean, not that they're connected.
Bill Murray: [dying] Is that you say hello where you come from?
Columbus: Oh, my God. Oh, my God, I can't believe I shot Bill Murray.
Tallahassee: Mr. Murray?
Bill Murray: I'm just Bill, I think, now.
Tallahassee: Bill?
Bill Murray: Yeah?
Tallahassee: [pokes at Bill's wound] I don't think we're gonna be able to stitch this.
Bill Murray: Ah. That's still tender.
Tallahassee: You think you might pull through?
Bill Murray: No.
Columbus: If it means anything now, I am so sorry. It was just instinctive.
Bill Murray: It was my bad. I was never a very good practical joker.
Little Rock: So do you have any regrets?
Bill Murray: "Garfield," maybe.
Tallahassee: There's a box of Twinkies in that grocery store. Not just any box of Twinkies, the last box of Twinkies that anyone will enjoy in the whole universe. Believe it or not, Twinkies have an expiration date. Some day very soon, Life's little Twinkie gauge is gonna go... empty.
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