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Sometimes watching a movie to which there isn't much of a point is a good way to spend time. Zombieland 2: Double Tap gets Phumlani S Langa's approval.
Zombieland 2: Double Tap
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone and Jesse Eisenberg
. . . - -
If you’re inclined to watch slightly questionable but entertaining films, then this is a five-star banger.
But if you want a stimulating story, sincere character development, a rock-steady plot and a maze of twists, then stay far away from this one.
It isn’t meant to take itself seriously. The sequel follows the first in which the world as we know it has come to an end as grotesque zombies have taken over and anyone they bite becomes a zombie too.
Unlikely alliances formed 10 years ago in the first film – between a bashful but intelligent student, two kick-ass sisters and a gun-slinging macho man – remain intact. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) are back and the US is still infested with zombies and they’re beginning to evolve, becoming impervious to bullets.
Somehow this dysfunctional collective survived together by following Columbus’ rules to survival, such as cardio, double tap (two bullets a zombie) and various other quirks that pop on screen cleverly whenever fitting.
Things are beginning to get strained and so they decide to abandon the life on the road smiting zombies to live in the White House.
The sisters, Witchita and Little Rock, get restless and leave the fortress hoping to reach Graceland in Memphis.
The sparse story line keeps you invested as this delightful drivel is being carried out by actors such as Harrelson and Stone, with cameos by Luke Wilson, Rosario Dawson and the best character in the film, Madison, played by Zoey Deutch – a ditsy blonde who is not what you would consider book smart but has some immaculately timed one-liners.
Rotten Tomatoes ranked this film at about 67% and IMDb gave it seven out of 10. The film is not very funny. It’s cleverly written in parts but it feels like a straight-to-television film.
However, the cast assembled could make a McDonald’s menu seem Shakespearean. Watching this wouldn’t be a total waste of time, especially if you saw the first film a decade ago.
There isn’t an awful lot of point to this film or even a decisive resolution, although you should hang around for the hidden ending which boasts another cameo.
It is oddly pleasing though – one of those wack films that you kind of mess with. From the minivan the group rides around in to how they use the White House as their residence – all were satisfying not to mention all the grisly zombie killing, a kind of gory take on slapstick that saw the original do surprisingly well.
They don’t let you light up in the cinema so this would be great for a night of Jetflix (Netflix and jets) but fans who are curious to see how the group has faired will flock to the cinemas. You might not be rolling about in the aisles but you’ll leave with a smile.
