Zombieland

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard
Running Time: 81 min.
Rating: R

★★★ 1/2 (out of ★★★★)

Filmmakers never really know for sure how well they've cast a movie until it's up there on the screen. They have a script and maybe even certain actors in mind for specific parts but once the camera starts rolling there's no telling what will happen. The apocalyptic comedy Zombieland is an example of the best possible scenario, where special chemistry exists between the actors that couldn't occur if even just one of those performers were replaced. On paper, it appears to be a solid line-up of four talents, but nothing that would have you thinking they've assembled a "dream team." But it is. This wouldn't work as well as it does without their complete commitment to making these characters ones we enjoy getting to know and hang with.

Tempting as it is to give them all the credit for how fun this is, doing that would overlook how adept director Ruben Fleischer's debut feature is at re-energizing a familiar concept with fresh, innovative ideas. Working from a smartly conceived script from Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese he takes one type of movie that's been beaten into the ground (the zombie film) and adds another that's been equally played out (the post-apocalyptic adventure), but only by adding the third (the road trip comedy) do the special qualities in all of them start to really shine through. It's a toss-up determining whether this comedy is more fun for viewers or the actors starring in it, including one celebrity who has the cameo of the year, if not the decade. Given how smart the entire film is it's no surprise that this usually reclusive actor would agree to appear in it and boy does he ever make the most of the ten minutes he's on screen, turning an already wild time into one of the most enjoyable cinematic experiences all year.

The movie opens in a post-apocalyptic zombie-plagued America with nerdy college student Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) on his way home to Columbus, Ohio to find out if his parents are still alive. As a loner with many phobias and no friends who spent his Friday nights guzzling "Code Red" Mountain Dew and playing World of Warcraft, Columbus has always played it safe. It's that approach and a list of rules he's come up with that helps him survive the zombie attacks that have claimed everyone else. After losing his car along the way he hitches a ride with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), an unhinged lunatic hell bent on finding Twinkies and willing to kill any zombie in sight to get them. Then the odd pairing really meet their toughest competition in con-artists Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), a pair of sisters determined to make it to the supposedly zombie-free "Pacific Playland" amusement park in Los Angeles.

The movie is so smart in how it creates this desolate, zombie-ridden world right from the awesome opening Metallica title sequence and Columbus' rules for surviving the wasteland known as "Zombieland, U.S.A." What's so impressive about these rules is that they're not only funny, but they actually make sense (i.e. RULE #1-CARDIO) and propel the story forward in a meaningful way. When adherence to a rule by any character occurs during the course of the film title cards pop up in inventive ways in the background letting us know. The use of voice-over narration and flashbacks in a zombie comedy is practically unheard of but it's incorporated perfectly as both effectively convey the bumbling, neurotic Columbus' insecurities and give us a valuable background information on the zombie plague. One flashback featuring a brief, but extremely memorable Amber Heard appearance just might be the most exciting sequence in the film. But even that pales in comparison to the big celebrity cameo that isn't exactly a well kept secret.

Even though many other reviews have given it away and it's practically public knowledge at this point I won't spoil this legendary actor's identity on the off chance of pissing anyone off who wants to completely remain in the dark. But I will say that the more I think about this actor's appearance the more I realize what a genius choice it was to have him appear and how no one else would have had the same effect. He certainly isn't the biggest name and from what I heard wasn't even the first choice to do this, but because he's a celebrity that we imagine would be the most fun to meet, we can share in the characters' excitement of seeing him for ten minutes in the type of comedic part we wish he'd take again. And what's so surprising is that this part ends up being that of himself...or at least how audiences have long perceived him to be like in real life. The cameo is brilliant in its self-awareness and the final line he gets off put me in a state of pain from laughter. We're even treated to him spoofing one of his most famous roles in a film I was unsure I wanted to see a sequel of. After this, now I'm sure. I want a sequel to it. Some directors waste big name, talented actors for over two hours but here Fleischer has this one for only ten minutes and milks every last second of those for maximum entertainment value.

He may not be the lead, but it's Harrelson who's the star, being given the opportunity to cut loose and go completely bad-ass in ways hasn't been able to do since the days of Natural Born Killers and Kingpin. The role fits him like a glove and only a good actor could have played it because as the story wears on he's called upon to give the character of Tallahassee real purpose beyond just finding his favorite snack cakes, which isn't easy when you also have to go over-the-top as a crazy man also. When I say none of these actors could be replaced in their roles I'm specifically referring to the inevitable, but groundless accusation that Jesse Eisenberg is always playing a poor man's Michael Cera. It's a silly theory that somehow gained traction based on nothing. I'll admit I had my doubts about Eisenberg at first but now it's getting to the point where the string of quality films are too numerous to just write it off as him lucking out and stumbling onto good scripts. While it's true he's played the same "type" of character in a lot of these outings (and isn't asked to stretch much more than that again here) there's an underlying dramatic sincerity to all of his performances that make his characters relatable and realistic. This movie feels as much like a coming-of-age movie as a zombie comedy or a wild road trip and makes an interesting companion piece to his other amusement park movie, the under-appreciated Adventureland. Just the sight of how uncomfortably nervous he looks killing zombies is worth the price of admission.

Those only familiar with smokey-eyed Emma Stone as the hottie in Superbad will be surprised to discover she makes Wichita a lot more than that and proves to be a really talented comedic actress with great sarcastic timing. As Little Rock, Abigail Breslin makes a seamless transition from child star into pre-teen actress, delivering some of the movie's best punch-lines. The interplay between all the actors feels so natural it's a shock this is the first time they've teamed up and I'd be very surprised if these four performers don't really enjoy what they're doing. It just comes across in every scene. As the film neared its conclusion, just the possibility you won't get to see them together anymore is kind of dejecting. The ending showdown at Pacific Playland is exciting and unpredictable because there really is some doubt as to whether everyone will survive. Besides providing non-stop laughs, the movie succeeds in the effects department as well and never uses the fact it's a comedy to wimp out in delivering just the right amount of violence and gore. It earns its "R" rating.

This is the highest grossing zombie movie of all-time and deserves to be. Supposedly, there's already a sequel in the works that's set to be filmed in 3-D. While I'm not thrilled with that idea (is every movie going 3-D now?) I can at least understand the logic behind using that format in this instance and would probably be willing to see ten sequels with these actors onscreen again together. They're that good. There are many more places they can take take the story and characters in Zombieland and I'm looking forward to the ride. Consider it illegal to have this much fun watching a comedy.

Definitely, Maybe

Director: Adam Brooks
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks, Derek Luke, Kevin Kline
Running Time: 112 min.
Rating: PG-13

**** (out of ****)

For the past couple of weeks nearly everyone who knows my taste in movies has been telling me that I have to see Definitely, Maybe. It could be partially because they’re aware of my abnormally high tolerance for romantic comedies, or “chick flicks,” as they’re more commonly known. It could almost be described as an abusive relationship because although I enjoy watching them, I view them mostly as a joke. I almost look forward to the bad ones just for a good laugh because I find the ways that they’re bad fascinating and the reasons women love them perplexing.

So when the mostly positive reviews for Definitely, Maybe came pouring in and it was being referred to as a “chick flick for guys” I knew this could really be good for some more chuckles. What I wasn’t prepared for was that I’d have to check my jokes at the door for this one. It’s startlingly ambitious and almost epic in scope, going places other movies in this genre never do with a premise that’s brilliant and fun. Now, finally, I can recommend a “chick flick” without fear of embarrassment at all. I wouldn’t hesitate telling anyone I encounter how much love this movie.

At its center is a compelling mystery with an outcome that’s seriously in doubt and many guys watching will put themselves in the position of the protagonist and wonder what choice they would make. It’s the rare comedy that understands that sometimes we make the wrong decisions and have to live with the consequences. That life speeds by so quickly it’s often hard to catch up. That people come and go and disappear and reappear in our lives when we least expect it. Things happen. Paths cross. Timing is everything. And none of it seems forced or contrived, but develops organically from the situation.
The focus is on a protagonist who not only has an interesting love life, but an interesting life filled with people who are intelligent and we’d actually want to spend time with. Guys will see a lot of themselves in him while girls will no doubt relate to one or more of the women he’s encountered along the way. It also sees an opening to depict a time period that has been underexposed in movies and milks it for everything it’s worth. As a result, everything feels so fresh and original and the second I saw that the story was taking place in this era I nearly jumped out of my seat. For me it felt like going home again because it’s a period I feel a very close connection to. I was prepared for the possibility this might be good, but I never would have guessed I’d be this blown away. Critics and audiences have actually undersold just how much this film has to offer everyone.

38 year-old advertising executive Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is going through a divorce and looks forward to the few days a week he gets to spend time with his 11 year-old daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin). After her school implements a sex education program she starts probing her father to tell her the story of how he and her mother met and got married. After some initial reluctance he caves in, but tells the story under his terms, changing names and facts and leaving it up to Maya to guess which one of the three main women in his life becomes her mom.

There’s his college sweetheart, Emily (Elizabeth Banks) who he leaves in Wisconsin in 1992 so he can work in New York as a gopher on the Clinton Presidential campaign. While there, he meets Emily’s longtime friend, Summer (Rachel Weisz) a sexy, sophisticated journalist whose having a bizarre affair with famous writer Hampton Roth (a fantastic Kevin Kline). The final suspect is his best friend April (Isla Fisher) a free-spirited copy girl who wants to travel the globe. The film already has an intriguing premise in place but its what it does with that premise that’s so impressive. Will starts his journey as a young, idealistic go-getter determined to change the world and make his mark but the world has other plans.

There’s a certain naivety to him when he first arrives in New York and these three women not only play a huge role in changing the course of his life, but also defining who he is as a human being. The smartest thing director Adam Brooks’ script does is convince us that all three of these women could very well be “the one” for Will. A lesser screenplay would have just presented them as stereotypes, like “the brain” or “the slut” and it would have been obvious by about a half hour into the picture who he would end up with.

Too many times in today’s romantic comedies female characters are completely defined by being in a relationship with a man and can’t think or act for themselves. Here, the ups and downs in Will’s relationships with these women are partially caused by actions they took because they’re independent, strong and intelligent. But that’s not to say Will’s deluded idealism and desire to please doesn't get in the way as well.
Brooks makes it interesting for us because none of these women are the “wrong choice” for him necessarily; they’re all just very different. I’d be lying if I said there isn’t a favorite that the audience (both male and female) will naturally gravitate to and Brooks knows this and plays with it, but not in a way that feels the slightest bit manipulative. And because this is a film that actually does reflect real life for a change, we know that’s no indication that she’ll be the last woman standing.

Guys watching will have a strong opinion who the best choice is, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for Will, or that he can even end up with her. Just when we think one of them is out of Will’s life for good they’re realistically pulled back in. Through masterful writing, Brooks puts the viewer in a situation where any of the three possible results would be a complete shock. This isn’t just a great setup because the pay off delivers in a huge way.

Then there’s Will’s relationship with his daughter, arguably the most important one of the film. I had gotten involved in this guy’s fascinating life that I almost completely forgot that his daughter was listening to all of this. That she had to hear all these things that he did and yet in a strange way, through these flaws, he actually looks like a better father to her. I had also completely forgotten that this story ends in divorce making the story that much more painful for this kid. What’s going to happen with that? There’s real doubt. This script is working well on so many different levels it’s almost astounding.

That’s not even mentioning the little life details it slides in, especially when it comes to the ripe, inspired setting of New York in the early ‘90’s. The city is a living, breathing character in itself informing Will’s life as much as the women in it and the Clinton era provides the perfect backdrop for his emotional virginity. As the administration wears on Will’s idealism understandably wears off and some disillusionment and cynicism sets in. The film tells us as much about our country’s mindset during this time period as it does his.
There are so many accurate and funny details concerning the early and middle part of the decade slid in I wouldn’t dare ruin them. One of the joys for me watching this was thinking back to what I was doing back then, which rather frighteningly at times resembled some things that occurred on screen (albeit at a far younger age). I’m sure I must have found this section of the film far funnier than most, but I bet more than a few would relate to it.

There's truth in the sketching of the most minor characters as well, like Kevin Kline’s drunken, pompous politico. You know that feeling when you’re watching a movie and you think, “I know someone EXACTLY like that.” Well, it's actually true this time. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve encountered just like this guy and after you’ve seen the movie and meet this character you’re probably going to feel really sorry for me. And Kline nails it, also adding considerable depth that's probably lacking from his real-life counterparts. I would have watched a separate movie about just him and his relationship with Weisz's character.

Ryan Reynolds has shown us glimpses of something recently with his work in The Nines and Smokin’ Aces, but this is the most fully realized performance of his career thus far. It isn’t the most dramatically challenging, but he seems effortlessly comfortable in it. It helps he’s an actor that doesn’t come with any preconceived notions. His Will comes off as a guy women would want to be with and guys would want to have a beer with and watch the game. He’s inoffensive and believable to every audience, a rare feat in a romantic comedy.

All three actresses are uniformly excellent in different ways. Elizabeth Banks has probably the least amount of screen time of screen time of the three but makes it count while Rachel Weisz brings an aura of sexy mystery to Summer, the woman who just may be out of Will’s league. In what seems like her millionth attempt in the past two years, Isla Fisher finally delivers in a role that requires much more than just standing there and looking pretty. I never got what the big fuss was about her as an actress, but I got it now. Reynolds shares the best chemistry with young Abigail Breslin, who gives a child performance that never seems cloying or forced and she even manages to get off many of the film’s most memorable lines.
At just under 2 hours, Definitely, Maybe could be considered long for a romantic comedy but it’s one of the few times I remember watching the clock and wanting it to slow down. I was hoping Brooks would come up with even more complications and obstacles to keep this going and prolong the mystery. I couldn’t wait to see what happens but there was another part of me didn’t want to find out. It’s a relief to finally see an ending that’s earned. This is a character went through hell and high water to arrive there and it wasn’t through the machinations of a contrived screenplay.

I’ve referred to this film many times as a “romantic comedy” but I should stop because it isn’t. It’s more of an entertaining, involving human drama with romantic and comedic elements mixed in. It would play well with fans of the television show How I Met Your Mother because it takes that high concept and expands it, bringing more depth to the premise. It’s much smarter and more involved than anyone could expect at first glance and I was surprised how much of it hit so close to home for me (unfortunately though not the part about choosing between three beautiful women).

How can I give THIS four stars? Easily because there isn’t a flaw to be found and it does what it’s trying to do perfectly in the most challenging of genres. It could have gone wrong in so many different ways but didn't. This movie isn’t going to change the world but it’s one of the best romantic comedies to come a long in recent years and with the amount I’ve seen I should know. Guys should consider themselves lucky if their girlfriends force them to watch this. Definitely, Maybe isn’t just a “chick flick,” it’s a great film.