Tips for living happily, learned from zombie movies: The quality comedies "Zombieland" and "Zombieland: Double Tap".

I don't usually watch horror, but I ended up watching zombie movies back-to-back.
One of them was "Zombieland" (released in 2009).

After watching a few zombie movies, I realized something...
Zombie movies that aren't scary fall more into the realm of "sci-fi fantasy" than horror.

And what the protagonists of "Zombieland" pursue are their own personal rules for living happily in a world infested with zombies.
I felt that this also applies to the wisdom needed to enjoy life in modern society.

The film is a human drama about people carrying loneliness and trauma who deepen their bonds and find their place in the world.

Moreover, it's not your typical American party-animal comedy, but a calm, tasteful comedy that even Japanese audiences can enjoy.
It's a bright, pop-style comedy that moves at a good tempo for about 90 minutes, so you can enjoy it even if you aren't a zombie fan.

I would be happy if those who think "Zombie movies? No thanks" could find some interest in it.

Synopsis

In a world where most of humanity has turned into man-eatingzombies, a young, shut-in internet gaming geek named Columbus heads toward Ohio, where his parents live.
On the way, he meets Tallahassee, a shooting genius, and a pair of con-artist sisters.
zombie-free paradise at an amusement park in the suburbs of LA, but the sisters steal their car.Will they make it there safely? Is there really a paradise without zombies?

In a world full of zombies,
how will you live?

The defining feature of "Zombieland" is that the protagonists create their own unique rules to survive.
In a world infested with zombies, how do the four of them manage to have fun and survive?

For example:
Do cardio, double-tap to finish them off, wear your seatbelt, don't skip warm-ups, travel light, enjoy the little things, don't be a hero, and so on.

Whether the goal is finding sure-fire ways to kill zombies, tips to avoid dying from non-zombie causes, or wisdom for savoring the joy of living, the purposes vary.
However, creating personal rules itself seems like a piece of wisdom for enjoying life.

In the sequel, "Zombieland: Double Tap," there's a scene where they show off and compete over their personal rules, which might have been the most fun scene.

And then, when it comes to a once-in-a-lifetime showdown, you break the rules!

The cast who went on to success.

Everyone has really made it big.

The director is Ruben Fleischer of "Venom."
The script is by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick of "Deadpool."

Protagonist: Jesse Eisenberg

He plays Columbus, a cowardly, nervous, shut-in gaming geek.
He was the villainous wealthy genius scientist Luthor in "Batman v Superman" and played Zuckerberg in "The Social Network," so he is well-suited for eccentric, intellectual roles.
He wasn't quite the same in the sequel 10 years later, but in the first film, perhaps due to his youth, his way of speaking looked exactly like Arashi's Ninomiya-kun.

Woody Harrelson

He plays Tallahassee, a tough, wild man with overwhelming shooting technique.
He carries a painful past and is obsessed with exterminating zombies.
He also pursues the most flashy ways to kill zombies.
Perhaps Woody's most famous work is "Natural Born Killers."

Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin

The con artist sisters who toy with the two leads are played by Emma Stone from "La La Land" and child actress Abigail Breslin.
They outsmart Columbus and Tallahassee time and time again.

Others

Amber Heard (due to the Johnny Depp situation), whom I dislike, makes an appearance, but since she gets hit with a toilet lid by the protagonist, let's forgive her.

The legendary Bill Murray, familiar from "Ghostbusters," makes a cameo, and he plays a wonderfully pathetic role.
Look forward to it!

No longer B-movies!
The growing diversity of zombie films

Actually, zombie movies are a hugely popular genre that has a long history and has undergone its own unique evolution.

Since zombies are often created through blood-borne infections, in this modern age where we have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, some people might feel they are closer to reality than before.

There are many different types of zombie movies today.
In my rough estimation...

・Horror-based, pursuing fear and the grotesque
・Suspense/thriller-based, heightening tension
・Action-based, centered on fighting zombies
・Sci-fi-based, exploring causes or solutions through science
・Romance-based, including love elements
・Comedy-based, making zombies look funny
and so on.

I have seen "28 Days Later," "World War Z," "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," and a little bit of "Resident Evil."
Many films feature star actors and have huge budgets.
Zombie movies are no longer B-movies!

The zombies that appear in each work also differ in appearance, personality, and ability.
There is a lot of room for individuality, such as the mode of infection, the time it takes to turn into a zombie, how long human consciousness remains, appearance, personality, and physical agility.

I have re-evaluated zombie movies, appreciating that creativity and diversity!

What are my thoughts on the sequel, "Zombieland: Double Tap"?

To start with the conclusion, the sequel was also quite interesting.
Since it was produced 10 years later, everyone looks a little, or quite a bit, different.

Unique new characters and new types of zombies appear, and there are more people than in the first film.

Let's relax at home and enjoy some zombie movies!

↓ Other zombie movies are here

World War Z

28 Days Later...