As much as I adore shotgun-wielding maniacs and exploding body parts, let’s face it; the “zombie apocalypse” genre is getting a little stale. However, like a bag of two-week old cheese puffs, there are always a few tasty ones left in the bag. Ruben Fleischer’s “Zombieland” is one of those delectable puffs.

     Until the release of “Zombieland,” Edgar Wright’s “Shaun of the Dead” was regarded by critics and zombie enthusiasts worldwide as the reigning king of the sub-genre known as “Zom-Com,” or “Zombie Comedy.” “Zombieland” is Fleischer’s debut film, but don’t jump to conclusions just yet. “Shaun of the Dead” may need to hand over the throne, because “Zombieland” is one of the most well-rounded and tightly crafted Zom-Com films I’ve seen.
      The film starts with the most entertaining opening credits to date. Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” rages behind zombies mindlessly chasing and devouring people. The film then transitions to Columbus’ Ohio’s, Jesse Eisenberg and his survival checklist of what to do, and what not to do, during a zombie apocalypse. The guidelines are showcased by side splitting scenes of unfortunate victims who didn’t abide by them.
     Columbus soon teams up with self proclaimed zombie slayer Tallahassee, played by Woody Harrelson, and later bands together with obvious love interest Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). Despite their differences, the dysfunctional group soon learns that they must work together in order to survive in a zombie-infested United States.
      “Zombieland” actually feels more like a road-trip comedy with zombies, rather than a straight up zom-com like “Shaun of the Dead.” This is not a bad thing whatsoever. In other words, it feels a lot more light hearted and refreshing than its British counterpart. It’s definitely a film tailored towards fans of zombie horror, but also for viewers who are new to the genre. Not to say that “Zombieland” is at all lacking in the gore department, but it’s definitely more palatable than most zombie films.
      With no sex, nudity, barely any language, and boasting a no-filler runtime of 80 minutes, this is a zombie film in its purest form, injected straight into the funny bone. With its perfectly chosen cast and sharp script, “Zombieland” is an instant classic in the genre of exploding heads and rampant bludgeoning.

This article originally appeared in the October 2009 issue.