Thanks to Shaun Of The Dead (more on that in a moment), it hasn't been easy for filmmakers to make horror-comedies with zombies that don't seem derivative of Edgar Wright's 2004 cult favorite. The only zom-com able to carve out its own space is Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland, the box office success that resurrected the format through sheer wit. The screenplay, written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick is genuinely funny, mining consistent laughs and performed with spot-on gamesmanship by Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin. Zombieland also introduces fresh ways to off the undead, including "Zombie Kills of the Week" such as someone dropping a grand piano on one of the ghouls. Any zombie movie that actually goes so far as to have helpful rules about how to survive printed right on the screen isn't likely to be lazy in applying pop-culture tropes to the storyline. Luckily, Zombieland doesn't miss a trick. From a cameo by Bill Murray as an addled version of himself to Eisenberg's snarky, neurotic commentary, the film makes sure that you never forget the many traditions that have been hammered into you by the horror films of yesteryear.
Jesse Gumbarge is editor and chief blogger at JarvisCity.com - He loves old-school horror films and starting pointless debates. You can reach out at: JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com
