There have been plenty of zombie movies since 2009's "Zombieland" was released, which makes the 10-years-later sequel "Zombieland: Double Tap" a more curious endeavor. Gore aficionados have not been starving for content, so what makes "Zombieland" a film that needed a sequel? Turns out, not much.
The first "Zombieland" was a modest little hit, earning strong reviews and just over $100 million at the worldwide box office (it was on my Top 10 in 2009). The movie was very much a zombie film and didn't break the mold in any way, but it embraced genre tropes in a tightly compacted and thoroughly entertaining movie. "Zombieland: Double Tap" feels like a rinse-and-repeat version of its predecessor, making it more tedious to watch than enjoyable.
The film reunites the gang from the original, including ringleader Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson, "Solo: A Star Wars Story"), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg, "The Hummingbird Project") and sisters Wichita (Emma Stone, "Battle of the Sexes") and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin, "Freak Show"). They are still fending off the undead amidst the zombie apocalypse and seek refuge at the White House. The crew takes in the fleeting moments of solace, giving Columbus time to consider his relationship with Wichita, in the hopes of taking things to the next level. When zombies are after you, who's got time to think about marriage?
"Zombieland: Double Tap" is one of those movies where it feels like too much is happening, but nothing is happening, all at the same time. The movie goes through the motions, as most perfunctory sequels do, and the cast's energy and commitment to the material help to keep things as lively as possible.
The movie is most interesting when it is examining the quartet as a makeshift family unit, focusing on their bond and struggles along the way. Little Rock feels like she is missing out on life by always running away from zombies, and her restlessness gives "Double Tap" a hint of nuance that ultimately turns into mere plot mechanics rather than anything substantial. She seems to be the only who has changed in the past 10 years.
Zoey Deutch ("Rebel In the Rye") joins the cast as Madison, a ditzy and broadly drawn character, who has been living in a freezer to hide away from the zombies. She is thrilled to tag along with the crew because it's been years since she has talked to a human. Deutch's charm and impeccable timing garner the most laughs, even when the character is so thinly constructed and surface-level.
Director Ruben Fleischer (who directed the first film) and writers Dave Callaham, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick end with a possibility of a third film. The hope is they end here, on a film we didn't need, and let it be. "Zombieland" was a surprise take on the genre; anything after that feels stale.
| Movie title | Zombieland: Double Tap |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2019 |
| MPAA Rating | R |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | This follow-up to the surprise 2009 horror-comedy hit is as unnecessary as a sequel can be. |
