Zombieland burst onto the scene in 2009, when there was a relative dearth of zombie things for the world at large. 10 Years and 2 Walking Dead series later, and Double Tap is here to remind you how cool the world of Zombieland was. Even though it’s lost its originality, the talent level of Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, and Woody Harrelson plus some new additions help keep Double Tap still a fun way to spend 90 minutes watching zombies get blown to smithereens.
Since we left Columbus (Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Harrelson), Wichita (Stone), and Little Rock (Abagail Breslin), they’ve moved into the White House and are living it up as a makeshift family. However, many things are evolving. Zombies now have evolved past Homers (the stupidest) and are now smarter and more relentless. Little Rock has also evolved, and up and leaves one day, restless for some people her own age. Wichita, desperate for an out, goes after her. Columbus and Tallahassee, despondent at their loss, go after them. Along the way, the boys run into Madison (Zoey Deutch), who’s been living in a mall freezer, and Little Rock meets Berkeley (Avan Jogia), a pacifist which I’m sure Tallahassee is gonna be ok with.
Double Tap plays to Zombieland’s strengths, relying on the fun interplay between Stone, Eisenberg, and Harrelson and this post apocalyptic world to breeze by. The decade has been great for all 3: Emma Stone is an Oscar Winner, Harrelson continues to produce great films, and Eisenberg was possibly in the movie of the decade. So why the hell would they wanna do a sequel to a zombie movie they did years ago? Must’ve been a blast to be on set, and it’s evident in their interplay with one another. The Columbus/Wichita interplay crackles with irony and mild hostility, as their relationship has not only hit a rut, but been exacerbated by Madison’s presence. Little Rock’s absence allows Harrelson to play Tallahassee as a mildly unhinged loner with a heart of gold, taking to heart his “love the little things” mantra. The movie keeps them on the move, finding new colonies of people to interact with, including an especially fun sojurn toward Graceland: the highlight of the movie. Sadly, there’s no spectacular cameo like in the last movie, but there’s a bunch of solid little ones, with the best being in the credits. Double Tap trades on originality for fun and comfort, with mostly satisfying results.
If Double Tap were just Zombieland again, that goodwill would last only about an hour or so. So the storytellers hire or write up some new blood to spice things up. Zoey Deutch is the best addition by far, channeling the most vapid valleygirl stereotypes as Madison. It’s pretty clear the writers figured out what to do with her after her introduction, because Madison becomes more and more funny as movie goes along, pretty much stealing it from the 3 headed acting attack of Eisenberg/Stone/Harrelson. Keeping the leads moving creates all sorts of great car dialogue scenes and the ability to create new areas for the group to explore. The pacifist colony is also a nice touch, making the leads come up with clever ways to eliminate zombie threats that don’t involve shooting them in the face. The writers add just enough new substance to make the movie keep moving breezily, without exposing too many seams along the way.
The fact that mega talents like Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Jesse Eisenberg willingly agreed to do a Zombieland sequel should tell you how fun this movie is probably going to be. All 3 could pick any project they want at this point, but this one was so much fun they were most definitely going to bring it for the sequel, and they do!Double Tap is fun enough that I hope everyone comes back to do a 3rd film. Maybe sooner next time though. And bring Zoey Deutch back. She’s your secret weapon.