Film Review: "Zombieland: Double Tap" (2019).

"From the director of Venom and writers of Deadpool" comes Zombieland: Double Tap. This zombie comedy film directed by Ruben Fleischer and written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and David Callaham. It is a sequel to Zombieland (2009). In the film, through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, the four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family.

After the release and success of Zombieland, talk of a sequel began with Reese and Wernick suggesting ideas, as well as Fleischer, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone voicing their desire to make a sequel. Wernick said he planned to have the cast reprise their roles with Fleischer returning to direct and that the writers had "tons of new ideas swimming in their heads." Additionally, they wanted to make the comedy into a franchise. However, the project languished in development hell for several years due to Reese and Wernick being heavily involved with other writing projects, including Deadpool (2016). But, by November 2009, the original cast and director were all set to return, with Fleischer enthusiastic about the idea of doing the sequel in 3D. However, in July 2011, Eisenberg said that he was "not sure what's happening" with the sequel but that the writers were working on a script. Harrelson said that he was also hesitant to do a sequel. But, in March 2017, it was revealed that the script for Zombieland 2 had been completed. In May 2018, Woody Harrelson confirmed Zombieland 2 would probably happen. In mid July, the film was finally greenlit by Sony Pictures, with an October 18, 2019 release date. By late January 2019, Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch, Avan Jogia, Thomas Middleditch, and Luke Wilson rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in mid March. Filming took place in Atlanta, Georgia, and was shot on Panavision (anamorphic) with ARRI Alexa cameras, unlike its predecessor which was filmed spherically with Panavision Genesis cameras in the Super 35 format.

The film stars Harrelson, Eisenberg, Breslin, and Stone, reprising their roles, with Dawson, Deutch, Jogia, Middleditch, and Wilson. The four slayers once again give another round of rip-roaring performances, despite feeling a little bit derivative of their previous performances. Whilst the new cast members breathed new life into the film, especially that of Deutch.

Just as wickedly funny, and featuring just as much gore, as its predecessor, Zombieland: Double Tap is still an undead genre. With the same quick pace and witty writing, it's another nonstop, snarky ride.  Despite a strong cast milking every once of entertainment out of its premise, this one is a rather derivative bit of fun compared to the first film. The film doesn't quite fly by as well, but it still manages to pack in more thrills and laughs than its predecessor.

Simon says Zombieland: Double Tap receives:

Also, see my review for Venom.