Narratively speaking, Zombieland: Double Tap doesn’t offer much of anything that’s new. We link back up with the four main characters, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). The group has taken up residence in the White House, living there for several years. They’ve been able to form a normal domestic life; or at least as normal as one could hope when living in the middle of a zombie-filled world.
The basic story here still showcases the journey of this group trying to find their way in this crazy new world. Sure, the exact beats and plot points may differ from the original. But the general ideas and themes feel all too similar. It’s a common problem with sequels, and Zombieland: Double Tap falls victim to that time and again.
That being said, one aspect that we can all be thankful returned is the cast. And with the four main characters come their amazingly solid chemistry. When a movie goes 10 years in between installments, it wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise for there to be a handful of clunky moments. But luckily we’re dealing with world class actors here. All four have Academy nominations under their belt, with Stone winning for La La Land. They step right back into character as if no time at all passed between the two movies.
Source: Sony Pictures
And this is where most everything good in Zombieland: Double Tap comes from. Harrelson, Eisenberg, Stone, and Breslin are having tons of fun revisiting these characters. And on top of that, these are solid, well-rounded performances. They nail the comedic parts, and are more than up to snuff with the more serious and dramatic scenes.
In addition to the lead cast, Zombieland also features an impressive supporting cast. Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch pop in as sort of doppelgängers for Tallahassee and Columbus. And while the overt comparing of the two pairs feels a little ham-fisted, they’re mostly a fun addition to the story. And Rosario Dawson is her typical great self as a maybe love interest for Harrelson’s Tallahassee.
But as great as those three are, it’s Zoey Deutch’s turn as ditzy Madison who steals the movie. Deutch has quickly become one of my favorite actresses, and people in general, in Hollywood. She has such a charisma that she brings to every role she gets. She’s crushed everything she’s done, and I can’t wait to see her continued rise.
Source: Sony Pictures
Her character here is nothing more than a “dumb blonde” cliche, but it still works. The energy Deutch brings somehow makes Madison feel fresh, rather than a tired retread of someone we’ve seen so often before. This is a character that could have derailed the movie, but Deutch was nothing less than perfect.
When it’s all said and done, the bottom line is you will likely enjoy Zombieland: Double Tap exactly as much as you enjoyed the first one. If all you need is a quick, fun escape to the theater, then Double Tap should be just the ticket.
