Score: B+
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Starring Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin
Running time: 99 minutes
Rated R
Long Story Short: The most sarcastic but deadly zombie hunters are back for more in Double Tap, a sequel to 2009's surprise hit Zombieland. It can't capture the same freshness and lighting in a bottle of the original, but it doesn't really try. Instead, it leans on the reliable core cast and adds some welcome new faces to the mix in a simple story with much more thought for detail than the usual sequel. Recommended for fans of the original, and anyone looking for action-comedy entertainment.
Intrepid survivors of the zombie apocalypse Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock (named for their hometowns) have gotten the hang of their new environment, and move into a long-abandoned White House. While still close as a group, Wichita and Little Rock - practically sisters - decide something's not right, and take off one night. But Wichita soon finds herself dumped as well, after the pair meet a charismatic new guy promising sanctuary, a promise Wichita doesn't believe. She comes back to her old friends for help, and they set off in search for Little Rock - but find the landscape has changed, with new residents both living and dead.
Double Tap has a large cast - surprisingly so, considering it's the apocalypse - but both the returning and the new faces are pleasant presences. Woody Harrelson's Tallahassee is arguably the focal point of the four returning stars, still an unabashed hillbilly whose bark belies a soft center. He becomes a bit more a leader here (relatively speaking), particularly in his guardian-like role with Little Rock. He still has plenty of put-downs for Columbus, but even here he pulls back some. Harrelson clearly takes great relish in the role again, and is key in giving the film a laid back feel. Jesse Eisenberg's Columbus and Emma Stone's Wichita engage in a surprisingly ordinary relationship, despite the desolation and danger around them. Eisenberg gets a more active part here, though he's no longer top dog, and Stone seems to just be enjoying hanging out with her goofy pals again. Breslin's Little Rock has her own story this time, although relatively little screen time considering its importance to the main plot. She's the least recognizable of the originals, but maybe that's because we didn't really get to know her the first time. Along for the ride this time is a fun group of newcomers, generally playing either doppelgangers - or polar opposites - of the main cast. Zoey Deutch gets the biggest role as Madison, Wichita's opposite as a dumb blonde. She's also literally a competitive opposite, vying for Columbus, and Deutch's performance along with a clever script gives the film an important jolt early on. Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch are basically Tallahassee and Columbus clones, and the film plays it knowingly. They're not around long, but they mimic their counterparts well. Avan Jogia and Rosario Dawson also appear, as a community hippie and Elvis hotel manager, respectively; mostly they're plot devices, but Dawson is an appropriately formidable presence.
The Zombieland sequel is among Hollywood's better attempts at a follow-up to a surprise hit; it doesn't aim too high but it hits its marks pretty accurately. As irreverent and self-aware as the first film was, the sequel is even more so. The first few minutes are basically the trailer for the film; slo-mo zombie takedowns and a house-warming White House montage (the latter of which would have made a pleasant surprise, but oh well). Fortunately, the story kicks into gear before long, and splits in the team - both geographically and emotionally - are well conceived. Still, it's the first newcomer who makes the film feel distinct from its predecessor. Madison's bimbo-ness stretches the silliness of the tone without breaking it, but she also fits into the more dramatic character dynamics, too. While Little Rock is on her own, somewhat bland path (although the parody on apocalyptic haven tropes is broadly funny), the new Gang of Four gets more fun. There are new zombie foes, from super deadly "Terminator" drones to harmless "Homer" dolts. And the meeting of Tallahassee and Columbus and their clones is a highlight, from a dorky/hilarious rules competition to an exciting zombie battle. After that, the action proceeds fairly predictably to the end, although there are still some glorious moments of fun to be had. The film runs its course not much over an hour and a half, and that's just about the perfect amount of time to spend reconnecting with these old friends. But stay for the credits, or you'll miss what's possibly the best part!
***
In a sea of sequels, Double Tap is definitely well above average, particularly among 2019's largely disappointing offerings. It's been a modest success with both critics (68% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences ($27 million opening weekend). Along with sequel fatigue, it's probably also partly a result of this being the tail-end of the zombie phenomenon; even The Walking Dead is fading away. But it also does a lot right: it's been ten years since the original, so we're ready for another taste of what was a successful formula. And it introduces some fun new characters and a few clever ideas/ gags, while resisting the urge to go overboard and lose the spirit of the first film. If you enjoyed the original, definitely see this; it's a summer-like action comedy treat right in the middle of fall!
* By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59805887
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