Zombieland: Double Tap

The zombie genre has been such a long lasting one that fatigue settling in is more apparent in this most recent decade. With popular media like The Walking Dead that attempting to elevate it with drama ultimately led to its own downfall: not feeling like its evolving naturally and falling into a rut. There's been an abundance of content pumped out featuring the undead in tv, movies, and even video games that it's often nice to look back before it became even more bloated. In 2009, Zombieland, a comedy set in apocalyptic setting, felt like a fun refreshing hang out feature that involved actors who would eventually make big success in their respective careers during this decade. While it ended things on a nice bow, talks about a followup have been around for 10 years until its recent release with Zombieland: Double Tap. I adore the 2009 film with its wit and goofy nature in surviving the harsh predicament. In a season of heavy awards dramas coming to theaters, I needed to calm down after the complex Joker and after exiting the auditorium from watching the sequel, I'm glad it didn't falter like most comedy sequels tend to do.

What's it about? Taking place 10 years after the events of its predecessor, the story follows our group of sarcastic but likable survivors going through wild shenanigans as they try to locate one of their own. Something that should be commended here is the consistency with how each of the returning protagonists interact with each other as its vital in caring through the narrative. The humor is even more self-aware with plenty of references from the past adventure and knows how to be a fun laidback crowd pleaser. It basically has the similar format of dealing with a variety of scenarios and goofy jokes but manages to quickly move onto the next one before its runs its course quick. An area where its elevated over the first adventure is how the action is handled where it attempts to shake things up for the fun factor. There's even a funny little end credits scene to look out for.

There are noticeable weaknesses holding it back from matching the slightly more cohesive quality of the 2009 film. Its big problem is not doing a whole lot with its subplots and just pushes an easy resolution for them in the third act. It's at a disadvantage where it doesn't have the freshness of the previous installment but has its own entertainment value to spare.

How are the returning actors? Despite the amount of success the four main actors have found with their careers since 2009, it's great to see them return for something that was never that big to begin with. Woody Harrelson is still an over-the-top delight to watch as his reaction faces to things he dislikes and some overacting makes him a fun cartoony character. Jesse Eisenberg is a good awkward presence to watch as he naturally stumbles in maintaining a good life balance while following his survival rules. Emma Stone is wonderful with her sarcastic wit and great onscreen chemistry with everyone she encounters (a great team player as this Oscar winner showed up and didn't take it for granted).

Honorable mentions go to Luke Wilson, Zoey Deutch, and Rosario Dawson for being great new additions here for their respective roles. A minor dishonorable mention goes to Abigail Breslin for having the smallest amount of screen time (out of the main 4) and giving a forgettable performance in a plot related part.

Overall Consensus: Zombieland: Double Tap is an entertaining sequel that's strengthened by the actors great chemistry, witty goofy humor, some good action scenes, and a consistent fun tone, despite some plot issues. ⭑⭑⭑1/2🎟 Runtime: 1 hour 33 minutes R

Reasons to watch it: You like any of the aforementioned actors. You enjoyed the 2009 predecessor and want to see how the sequel holds up. You want to see a small funny hangout adventure with a group of friends. You don't mind predicable stories and cliched characters.

Reasons to avoid it: You dislike any of the aforementioned actors. You did or didn't enjoyed the 2009 predecessor but aren't interested in how the sequel holds up. You don't want to see a small funny hangout adventure with a group of friends. You are bored with predictable narratives and cliched characters.