ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP Spoiler-Free Review; "The Zombie Action Is Even Better Than THE WALKING DEAD"

Zombieland took everyone by surprise back in 2009 and in the decade that's followed, it's fair to say that the movie has achieved cult status. Talks of a sequel have persisted for years (which is no great surprise seeing as that first instalment grossed over $100 million on a $23 million budget) but, for a long time, it felt like that was never actually going to happen. Well, Zombieland: Double Tap is finally here and it most definitely delivers.

With a present day setting, Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock have become very adept at surviving the zombie apocalypse. However, when one of their own goes missing, it's time to hit the road again and we're introduced to some new faces along with a terrifying new zombie-type the sequel appropriately dubs the "T-1000." It's a simple enough story that adheres to a similar structure as the first instalment but that's not a bad thing, especially thanks to some big surprises, plenty of laughs, and genuinely very clever throwbacks to the 2009 original which make it clear that director Ruben Fleischer and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have made this movie for the fans. 

Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg steal the show and their dynamic is every bit as fun as the first time they shared the screen. There's something magic about these two when they're together and they're definitely responsible for the best gags and most memorably moments. Luke Wilson delivers some great material as Albuquerque, while Rosario Dawson plays a tough as nails, badass female character called Nevada who is a definite standout in a movie that mostly under serves its female characters. While Zoey Deutch's Madison is hilarious from start to finish, she's also a stereotype, and Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin get very little to do here beyond being the subject of the male character's affections. They're more plot device than anything else and Stone, in particular, deserved better. 

The zombies are what most people will be heading to the cinema for, of course, and they're downright awesome. It's no secret that The Walking Dead (which premiered the year after Zombieland was released!) has grown stale but Zombieland: Double Tap thankfully ups the ante with the undead thanks to some amazing action scenes, a phenomenal, thrilling final battle, and plenty of gore. It's also a movie with a lot of heart what appears to be one, very lengthy tracking shot is an absolute masterclass in filmmaking and one of the best visuals you'll see in a film this year.

Just like Zombieland, this sequel is an absolute riot and a must-see for fans of the zombie genre. The chemistry between the main cast members remains as enjoyable to watch as ever and we hopefully won't be waiting another ten years for a third instalment because this creative team clearly has something special on their hands with franchise. It's a shame the four leads don't get to spend a little more time together but with new rules, new types of the undead, and heaps of fan-service, you won't find a better option in cinemas this weekend than Zombieland: Double Tap.