Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Movie Review of Zombieland Double Tap

Zombieland Double Tap
    Columbia Pictures

Zombieland Double Tap Brings Back The Dead    

Just when we thought that any chance of a Zombieland sequel has long been buried, arise the zombies of decade past. In Zombieland Double Tap, director Ruben Fleischer brings back our favorite zombie slayers of Columbus as Jesse Eisenberg, Tallahassee as Woody Harrelson, Wichita as Emma Stone, and Little Rock as Abigail Breslin. The movie continues the original's story of our pack of heroes surviving the onslaught of zombies. But time has past, and the zombies have evolved into new subspecies with frightening, and sometimes hilarious, capabilities.

In this edition, our heroes also get reinforcements as well. But we will come back to that part a little later. The focal point of Zombieland Double Tap are the relationship between Columbus and Wichita and father-adopted daughter relationship between Tallahassee and Little Rock. All seems to be well after our heroes storm the White House in the opening scene to the sound of Metallica's Master of Puppets, and the following time is referred to as the best days of their story by the narration of Columbus. 

Of course, not everyone is satisfied with the status quo at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Little Rock is slowly growing resentment toward Tallahassee exercising his unique parental style. She craves companionship with another man, but has no options within current quarters. The situation is further aggravated when Columbus decides to propose to Wichita, which violates his own Zombieland survival rule #5: no attachments. That was the straw that pushed Wichita and Little Rock to hit the road yet again, leaving Tallahassee and Columbus with one of Wichita's notes.

Evolution Of Zombieland And New Friends

As our male heroes duo ponder their predicament, they decide to re-stock their supplies. It is at this point that Columbus stumbles upon, and nearly kills, a new friend - Madison, played by Zoey Deutch. What can be said about Madison is best said through a lyric by the Bloodhound Gang - "She was hotter than the sun, she just wasn't that bright". She serves as the comic relief in Zombieland Double Tap and does not disappoint in this pun-filled sarcastic joy ride. Still devastated by Wichita's sudden departure Columbus is assaulted by Madison, because a girl got needs. The movie takes another turn when Wichita all of a sudden shows up again.

Wichita reveals that Little Rock met a man in the form of Berkeley, played by Avan Jogia. Little Rock was already looking for companionship, being the reason she left, and seizes the presented opportunity, taking the car with Berkeley and leaving Wichita on her own. Seeing that this is Zombieland and functioning male humans are hard to come by, beggars can't be choosers. Remembering talks of Graceland and the king of rock n' roll, Elvis Presley, the revamped pack sets out for Memphis Tennessee. Along with the dumb zombie, the smart zombie, and the stealthy zombie, our heroes discover a new evolved type of zombie - the hardest one to kill yet.

Seeing Double in Zombieland 

As the story of Zombieland Double Tap progresses, our friends finally arrive at what once was Graceland. While initially disappointed, they discover a nearby hotel ran by Nevada, played by Rosario Dawson. The morning after their arrival, they are greeted by two characters who act suspiciously similar to our longtime male heroes. Albuquerque, played by Luke Wilson, is a carbon copy of Tallahassee and Flagstaff, played by Thomas Middleditch, is a carbon copy of Columbus. Despite the chemistry Tallahassee finds with Nevada, the group is forced to carry on to find Little Rock. 

As our heroes approach the hippie community where Little Rock and Berkeley are staying, there is no doubt you can draw a parallel to the original Zombieland. A lot of the same exact predicaments are confronting the pack and they handle them in just the same ridiculous way. The movie rehashes a lot of the same puns and dynamics, which is satisfying to the fans of the original, but does little to add to any originality in this edition. As they ponder their predicament, a friend they have just recently met will come to the rescue and provide a much needed boost in their fight for survival. 

Zombieland All Tapped Out

Nobody can call Zombieland Double Tap a good horror movie. If anything, this movie is more of a comedy full of puns and sarcasm. In that regard, it succeeds just as much as the original. However, this edition offers barely anything new. There are new characters introduced with flare and bewilderment, but outside of Madison, they serve little purpose. The newly evolved zombies are a nice touch, but in the grand scheme of things they add nothing significant to the story. As mentioned before, the movie does offer a nice cinematic fast food meal for fans of puns and sarcasm. But, that meal is rather stale, circa 2009. 

As far as Zombieland is concerned, Zombieland Double Tap is an entertaining but unoriginal sequel. The movie is a satiric reflection of relationships of fathers and daughters, as well relationships of lovers who are close to being the last men and women on earth. Rotten Tomatoes' critics have given this movie a grade of 68% approval, while Metacritic has given it a mixed score of 56 so far. I will have to agree with these results. I really enjoyed the original movie, because ten years ago it was quite original entertainment. But Ruben Fleischer failed to innovate and inject any significant originality into the formula, choosing to drive the same exact thing into the ground and likely applying the double tap rule to any chances of a third installment. I give it a top score of 3.0 out of 5.0 stars.

Until next time, grab your popcorn, milk duds, turn off the phone, and enjoy the movie.

59 comments:

  1. Fantastic review! Helpful that you keep it light and friendly, and summarize the movie without giving away too much!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, Vasundhra. The movie is funny, and I recommend that you see it.

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  2. I didn't even know this was a movie...I liked the first one. May have to check out this one too.

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    1. If you have seen the first one, then I highly suggest this sequel. It is full of puns and sarcasm.

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  3. I haven't seen the first so I will probably enjoy this.

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    1. Phoebe, if you're planning to watch this one, see the original first please. There are references you will miss out on.

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  4. I agree - I think its a good popcorn flick but not something I'd pay to see. Great review

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    1. Yes, you can wait for video or streaming on this one. But it still has some entertainment value

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  5. This reminds me of that TV show the Walking Dead everyone was so obsessed with for so long.

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    1. It is not as serious as the show. This movie is more of a satire.

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  6. great movie review! looks funny as hell!

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    1. It is very funny, the satire of zombie apocalypse with human relationships on the side is entertaining.

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  7. Thanks for sharing this movie review, enjoyed my read as am watching it
    cheers, siennylovesdrawing

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    1. Hi Sienny, glad you found it useful. Enjoy the film.

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  8. Wow! I really love this movie. I watch the part one so many times. And the wait is over for this second awesome movie! thanks for the review.

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    1. Elizabeth, you will enjoy some references to the original, as well as the new sub-specieis of zombies. But the humans in this one remain a bit sub-par. Still, an entertaining movie.

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  9. Great review! I loved the first zombieland film, I found it hilarious so I really can’t wait to watch this!

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    1. Alicia, enjoy the sequel. It's not as good as the first one, but still has some laughs and entertainment value.

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  10. Great review. watched the movie too since i loved the first one. It was not as good but it was entertaining.

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    1. Karen, yeah this sequel did not bring any additional original ideas - just pounded the original formula into the ground.

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  11. Love the Zombieland Franchise! Really happy a sequel was made. www.frightorflight.com

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    1. Hi Rudy,the franchise may have concluded with this sequel, as the main story line didn't progress much from the first installment.

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  12. I loved the first one and the background cast that they added in on this one looks amazing!

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    1. The additions to add some flavor to this sequel, and it adds a some entertainment value.

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  13. I haven't yet seen this.. But Your review makes me want to.. Probably my weekend plans have been made tgen

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    1. Fabian, enjoy this zombie comedy, but make sure to see the first installment before watching this sequel. Otherwise, you will miss out on some references.

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  14. Cool..! I havet seen it.. but after reading this, i am tempted to!

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    1. mainak, it is a good sequel with entertaining and redeemeing qualities. But it does lack originality.

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  15. My husband and I loved the first one, we are looking forward to seeing this one! Thanks for the review.

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  16. LOVE both of the Zombieland movies! Woody Harrelson is great!

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  17. Awesome review. This made me want to watch the movie.

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  18. Never heard of Zombieland but I loved the walking dead so I may check out this show. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Thanks for sharing this review! I’ve been wanting to see this and may just wait till it’s on Netflix now.

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  20. I never saw the first one, but I probably should watch both of them.

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  21. I enjoyed the first movie. I am actually excited to see this one. I hope it's good too.

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  22. This is an amazing review I haven't seen it yet but will definitely will

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  23. I've never watched Zombieland but now I think it will be interesting to watch.

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  24. Great review, I have never heard about this movie

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  25. I was searching for some good movies for this rainy weekend and here I got an amazing movie suggestion. Lets see how is it.

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  26. Great review. I haven't seen this series but will look at the first Zombieland.

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  27. Great Review! I haven't watched it yet but now I am going to watch it very soon.

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  28. I remember the first Zombieland, it was hilarious! Usually sequels are not the best, and the Double Tap seems to confirm that.

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  29. I've never seen the first movie but may go and watch it. I like horror with a bit of comedy

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  30. I want to see Zombieland! I love zombie movies.

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  31. I will totally have to check out this film now!

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  32. This was a great review! Maybe Ill go check this out now.-Cherise

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  33. great movie! i checked out the other day and it was hilarious!

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  34. It's always amazing coming back to your site it makes it easy for me to know what I'm going to watch next

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  35. Am I the only one who is missing the best. I did not know about it. After reading your enjoyable post, I will definitely watch it.

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  36. Every time I see the commercial, it always intrigue me. I've been wanting to watch this for sometimes now but never got the chance. This time I'll check it out for sure. Thank you for posting it. Great post by the way!

    Joice
    www.cantiquejoice.com

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  37. I saw this movie on Fox but I didn't watch it yet because I have a lots of list however I will add this on my list thanks for sharing.

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  38. I have been waiting for this movie for so long. Can't wait to check it out!

    www.itsasweetsweetworld.com

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  39. I have been wanting to watch this movie. The first one was really amazing.

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  40. What a fabulous review about Zombieland Double Tap! I can't wait to see in theaters next year here in Japan.

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  41. I want to see this film! I loved the first one and Woody is amazing!

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  42. Haven't watched this movie. Thanks for this great review.

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  43. I was searching for some good movie suggestion for this weekend and then found it. Really awesome.

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  44. I can not wait to see this one. I want to watch both as a mini marathon.

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