Yum, Twinkies!
Aside from the fact that Zombieland is a brilliant film that works on so many levels (mostly different levels of humor rather than meaning), it made me want Twinkies. I now have an unquenchable desire to eat Twinkies, even though I despise Twinkies. Even before I go into a review of this film, I have to stress how much this film wants me to want Twinkies. Theory would lead one to discuss product placement and crossover, but screw all that! If you ever want an audience to become obsessed with a product, introduce it early in the film as one of the character’s obsessions. An obsession that is never quenched until the very end of the film paralleling the protagonist’s own plight. In other words, have your main character want a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. And then have that character discuss and demonstrate his obsession throughout the film until the very end when he/she finally achieves their desire. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are very good.
Is Zombieland as good as a wonderfully spiced and warmed Pumpkin Spice Latte? In a very extreme way, yes it is! I had no preconceptions as to the plot, I honestly could have cared less about the plot. My goal was to laugh. I wanted a diversion, not unlike the diversion of a Pumpkin Spice Latte on a cold day. I wanted a film that warmed me up with laughter, much like the before mentioned latte. Zombieland certainly delivers laughs and does so with multiple levels of humor. We have intellectual humor with the rules of Zombieland dictated by Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg). We have physical humor on the level of watching people get hit in the nuts on America’s Funniest Home Videos. And finally we have humor on an absurd level, not unlike the absurd flavor of a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I really enjoyed being able to sit back and just let my critical eye go – but that in itself is not always good.
While I am very fond of Zombieland, the plot was lackluster and highly derivative of every other zombie film. Due to the lack of a solid plot, you find that the humor carries over into serious moments as well. I laughed at inappropriate times, and so did the rest of the audience. Not too mention the lack of any solid sense of reality or probability (think of this as the being able to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte from the gas station, it just doesn’t make sense). Only 5 people are alive in the entire film, and yet we travel cross country. And at some point, isn’t it inevitable that death will come with vengeance? Of course then we can’t have a franchise. Seriously, I have some issues with a complete neglect of believability. On one level, I want to tell that part of me to shut up and go get a Pumpkin Spice Latte and just enjoy it for what it is. On another level, I want to demonstrate that other films have successfully merged this idea with a somewhat substantial plot (Shaun of the Dead). And not to mention that there is no way that Wichita (Emma Stone) is wearing a white t-shirt that is perfectly tight, a bit see through, a bit revealing and yet not dirty. I wonder who the demographic is for Emma Stone in a tight, slightly see through, slightly revealing t-shirt is? Oh, no wonder I like her so much!
Speaking of the cast, whom I’m sure enjoyed a few Pumpkin Spice Lattes on set, I had no real problem with any of the casting mainly because there was no major plot. Emma Stone provides us (meaning anyone attracted to Emma Stone) with eye candy with an attitude. So I’m a sucker for heavy mascara and a slight punk attitude, sue me! Jesse Eisenberg is simply there as a narrative pussy. Yes, I said it. His character is an accidental survivor, but this attribute makes his character all the more lovable. In addition, his voice over combined with the initial rules and titles really works well to move the movie out of the ordinary and add a bit of glitz. Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) is straddling the fence between kid actor and teen actor and only provides the audience with the cute character that should need protecting but it turns out she is just as bad-ass and independent as all of the other characters yet still has the innocence of youth. So in other words, completely forgettable. Which brings us to Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson). This happens to be a role made for Harrelson. While this may not mean Harrelson is a great actor, it certainly means that sometimes casting is everything. It works because Harrelson is the the everyman that really sees the zombies as redemption. If you’re going to kill zombies, you may as well have fun. Too bad it reminds me a bit of Mickey Knox, without the intense desire to be famous. Although if you replace that with an intense desire for Twinkies, you may have a case.
To me, Zombieland is the Pumpkin Spice Latte of film. It can surprise you at times with its spice and warm your heart with its just right temperature. I won’t ruin the moment, but there is a moment where you do have a hint of a plot and it certainly is a heart warming revelation. Aside from the humor and outright violent fun, Zombieland serves as a diversion from blockbusters and art films. In age where you either need to make money or be critically acclaimed, it is refreshing to see a film that knows what it is and accepts its role. Take a break from seriousness and enjoy Zombieland for what it is. Now I must go get a Twinkie, are you ready for your Pumpkin Spice Latte? (You see what I did there?)
