Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) | Strong Start, Dies Down Toward the End

Zombieland: Double Tap

Zombieland Double Tap makes an entertaining comeback. Sticks to its origins with plenty of humour flying around, continues on that wicked zombie killing spree with the old gang reprising their roles. All four of them brought together by Ruben Fleischer who had also directed the first one.

Ruben, while trying to do something different, compromises a bit with the storyline of Zombieland: Double Tap. Even though he comes with something which is as entertaining as its prequel, unfortunately, it does not bolster on a solid plot.

That being said, the movie takes off with a bang, however gradually dies down toward the end. You could see that unnecessary bend reflect from far away. There is one juncture from where everything feels like a downward tumble and you realize not as much thought has been put in the making of it as was put in the start.

But it’s still not that bad, to be honest. Just that you feel the quality degrade thereupon.

The Plot of Zombieland: Double Tap

The initial kickstart carries a thoughtful script, some brilliantly written stuff that tries to focus on the emotions of the protagonists while they try to survive by clearing the White House which has been splendidly and smartly framed throughout its slo-mo rad credits.

The cardinal basis of the story on which Zombieland: Double Tap revolves around is nothing but repressed feelings that are screaming to get out. For Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) it is about expressing himself, while for Wichita (Emma Stone) it is coming to terms with it. For Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) it is being overprotective for Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who is trying to get away from his unacceptable parenting.

Now the movie forms a road trip around it, taking unusual habits of the crew and leveraging it to the maximum. The screenwriters Dave Callaham, Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick build an adventure from scratch, letting all these characters be a part of it.

Inclusion of Other Characters

It is not hard to realize that the movie tries to scavenge for content with the inclusion of a fresh batch of actors. They try to introduce new characters to the story to make the story a lot more interesting which actually makes it to a certain extent. By the time you reach toward the finishing line, you realize it is only these newly introduced characters that stand out, and that’s who you would remember when you try to look back.

Zombieland: Double Tap builds itself on sarcasm for the most part while trying to encash on idiocy by stitching the character of Madison (Zoey Dutch) to the tale.

Madison is this annoying dimwit blonde who has somehow managed to survive the zombie apocalypse. She has been created not just to be made fun of but also as a temporary rebound chick to open the eyes of the besotted couple Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) and Wichita (Emma Stone). She serves a purpose.

Au contraire, two of the characters Luke Wilson (Albuquerque) and Flagstaff (Thomas Middleditch) are simply created to draw out some guffaws that foreseeably don’t last for long.

Since the character of Bill Murray was laid off in the prequel, Ruben finds a way to bring him for a cameo in the movie yet again. However, it is like a walkthrough of an old chapter that is placed after the credits.

Humour and Screenplay

If you happen to remember the Zombieland prequel from the year 2009, you would be aware of how the movie had literally breathed on its humour. A benchmark was already set. Strong standards were made.

So it was immensely important for the sequel to follow its footsteps and focus on comedy the most. Gladly that department finds its apt suitors. The movie is a complete entertainer, tickles you almost at every point.

The screenplay of Zombieland: Double Tap has been done extremely beautifully. Especially, the first half where some really intelligent and witty comebacks brim up its humour glass. However, as the movie progresses, several areas begin to show up where you realize the screenplay’s quality degrading. As if the writers weren’t as interested as they were while kickstarting the project. The gusto gradually wanes, and it doesn’t have to make an effort in order for you to realize it.

The primal theme of Zombieland: Double Tap has always been humour lodged in an apocalyptic world. It finds ways to do so. Things like new characters, new zombies, new kills were things that we had already foreseen. It tries to leverage whatever it had to work with and adds plenty of other elements to make the whole thing quite entertaining.

You can order Zombieland Double Tap from here:

The Final Verdict

Overall Zombieland: Double Tap is a good watch. Not the best of the sequels but not the worst ones too. It might not meet the hype, but it is certainly a fitting sequel for people who have been asking for one.

I surmise, good things need to be celebrated, not just once but many times. So in a world that had almost forgotten such a movie had once existed, the existence of Zombieland felt expedient. The sequel reminds us how badass the whole concept used to be, once again revives it, just like a zombie resuscitated after death.

Check out reviews of more cool movies that released this year.

Check out the trailer of Zombieland: Double Tap here:

Zombieland: Double Tap

7.4

Direction

7.4/10

Plot

6.9/10

Screenplay

7.3/10

Visuals

7.5/10

Humour

7.7/10

Pros

  • Good Direction
  • Great Humour
  • Outstanding screenplay
  • New Characters

Cons

  • Gradually dies down toward the end
  • Weak plot

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