Zombieland: Double Tap

This review may contain spoilers!

This is one of those genre comedies that has been a classic for a long time and the sequel was genuinely an equal pleasure. I would give Zombieland: Double Tap an 8/10.

Zombieland: Double Tap is the sequel to 2009's Zombieland and reunites us with main characters: Columbus, Tallahassee, Little Rock and Wichita as they attempt to navigate new survivors, evolved undead and life as a dysfunctional family in a zombie apocalypse. The reason I was drawn back to this one so strongly was probably how well they managed to keep the sense of humour intact, particularly as the film progressed the gags they explored just got better and better. It wasn't merely that this is a strong satire on every 'serious' piece of zombie pop culture, it was the range of humour brought to bear. There were moments in which zombie shows like The Walking Dead were being cleverly mocked that would switch to exploring a ditzy survivor and her interactions with the group, or doppelgangers of the main characters to poke fun at the film itself, and even leaping to a group of survivors entirely dedicated to pacifism in this desolate wasteland. Zombieland 2 thinks of everything and orchestrates exactly where it wants its jokes for maximum impact and if you find yourselves in stitches for even some of this excellent film then I highly recommend you hang around for the mid-credits scene. The film also nurtures the bond this strange family of survivors has with one another, often finding simple yet meaningful ways of approaching the heart of this narrative. You get to see Columbus and Tallahassee come to affirm the partnership/survivor duo dependence they have with one another, Columbus and Wichita go through relationship turmoil that actually feels interesting to watch and carries over well from the first film. Even the father/daughter relationship between Tallahassee and Little Rock hits home by the end of the feature, the pair learning some valuable lessons about giving room to be free but also knowing they can count on each other as family should. The cinematography used throughout keeps things active, each set feels like a place explored because the camera maps out every area characters can move within or be engaged in a point of action. The special effects look really good, both in term of the practical effects with some of the zombie encounters and some of the visual effects like the monster truck scene. The soundtrack throughout this feature is really funny and works in tandem with the films comedic tone, it also enhanced moments of action and really brought out the 'cool' factor in those moments.

Woody Harrelson, who played Tallahassee, stills feels like the most epic and dangerous character in the cast; Harrelson does a great job of portraying this tough as nails, gritty character who stumbles through his feelings towards his makeshift family. Jesse Eisenberg, who played Columbus, is still a really strong guide to this crazy zombie-ridden world as our narrator throughout the feature; I found Eisenberg's portrayal of conflict with both Harrelson and Stone really well done. Emma Stone, who played Wichita, is intensely determined and driven towards the protection of her sister; watching Stone grapple with her decision towards the proposal in this film is a nice continuation from what they set up in the first film. Rosario Dawson, who played Nevada, is a tough survivor that matches up to Harrelson perfectly; the way in which their shared interests emerge and their romance begins is actually quite engaging and pulls you in. Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch, who played Albuquerque and Flagstaff respectively, are a great pair who really mirror the roles Harrelson and Eisenberg inhabit well; I loved the scene in which they tried to conceal they'd been bitten by zombies and started to squabble amongst themselves when the secret became exposed.

However, the best performance came from Zoey Deutch, who played Madison. This character was by no means the brightest bulb in the box but her character was such a comedic powerhouse that she shined throughout. There was a lot of potential for this role to just be written off as the token 'dumb blonde' that was the hallmark of a lot of old American comedies. But I think what I liked is that Deutch reminded us that while Madison was a bit of a goofball she was undeniably human and capable of surviving. This is a role who hilariously springs to the aid of Wichita, claims out Columbus for her own after being alone for years and then presses through even when the main group of survivors have left her for dead. Deutch really has a strong sense of what she wants to achieve with Madison as a comedic role and I think she has just about the best timing and delivery of the cast.

This film was a really enjoyable and entertaining time but as a sequel it never managed to feel like a full plot or story. This isn't the sort of feature that feels like a fully realised eye-catching main narrative, rather this is a string of anecdotes tied together around a smaller main plot. It doesn't always feel like the best format for a sequel film and that lets down the pacing and structure of the film. The first act also spends a lot of time setting up punchlines for the second or even final act, but in ways that feel jarring and create some awkward scenes. The first act is by far the weakest of the film and it takes some time for Zombieland: Double Tap to find its feet and start running.

Abigail Breslin, who played Little Rock, is a solid part of the original main four cast members and really got forgotten in this film; Breslin doesn't particularly seem committed to the idea that her role wants to go off to find a boyfriend and so that entire subplot falls to the background. Avan Jogia, who played Berkeley, seems to be one of the few performers in the cast who plays to his eccentric stoner stereotype; Jogia never has a moment of sincere comedy and certainly lacks chemistry with Breslin.