Ten years later and the gang of Talahasee, Columbus, Little Rock and Wichita are back for more adventures in Z-Land but is it worth the journey? Does this suffer from the sequel disease? Find out in this Zombieland: Double Tap review.

Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), Wichita (Emma Stone), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) in Columbia Pictures’ ZOMBIELAND 2: DOUBLE TAP.

I had fun with this movie. It’s got all the elements that made the original Zombieland movie such a fan-favorite. You got a good amount of humor and action and character development. A lot has changed over the last decade and it seems like the four-man team of Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), Wichita (Emma Stone), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) are still doing their own thing and looking for a new place to settle as we catch up to them.

I totally understand the need to add in more people and more drama to raise the stakes so to speak. And that, for me, is what made the movie show promise. It knew that ten years had passed, it knew that audiences have been more woke today and they were a decade ago. So they retooled a few things but made sure that Woody Harrelson’s Tallahassee will still remain relevant but sounding like a relic.

Acting wise, this felt phoned in really. Of course, they still all act good on screen but you can’t help but think they could have done better. Abigail Breslin’s Little Rock was the worst offender. I know she’s playing this young adult with raging hormones and totally looking for people her age, but herr acting’s as dry as the wasteland their “family” wanders around in.

Madison (Zoey Deutch), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and Wichita (Emma Stone in Columbia Pictures’ ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP.

For Columbus and Wichita’s case, we are given the generic “Love is Scary” trope, which breaks them apart only to reconcile in the end amidst all the blood, gore, fire and explosion. I won’t fault them that they went this route because as “single” characters, there’s nowhere else to go. Also, please don’t be picky with the new character Madison (played by Zoey Deutch) as she’s only added as a “comedic” third wheel for the story. Also, Madison is so adorable; almost made the same level of Woody Harrelson’s moments.

Other new cast members here with the exception of Rosario Dawson, are all fodder and only provide a sense of nostalgia as well as give us OK action scenes. Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch are written in to provide a sense of fondness for Columbus and Tallahassee before their lives together with the girls. Theirs in magnified ten fold and I see what the writer wants to do. They want to (a) examine what makes the pair tick, (b) allow their lady-friends to call them out and see their common traits out (c) provide zombies that they get attached with for them to eventually kill.

The visuals were insane and I have no qualms or comment about those. The plot is OK and its totally enjoyable, just lower your expectations.

Oh and lastly, don’t leave the cinema yet as soon as the credits roll because there’s a surprise appearance here that would cater specifically towards the fans of the original movie.

Zombieland: Double Tap Review – Verdict

8/10

Special thanks to Columbia Pictures Philippines for the passes!