Zombieland: Double Tap

It's been a decade since Zombieland burst onto the screen, at the height of the undead resurgence. It was a light, witty and ultimately heartfelt little film in a sea of bleak apocalyptic visions of the time.

Now we return with Double Tap, and it’s like we never left Zombieland. Years have passed, familial bonds have deepened between the core characters, and the zombies have gotten bigger, faster and smarter.

Since the original, the careers of much of the cast have skyrocketed to A-list, award-winning success. Yet they all return with the enthusiasm and chemistry that made the original special. The film rides on a bubbly script and the performances, which work best when the characters banter.

Woody Harrelson is in energetic form, Jesse Eisenberg confidently leans into his neurotic shtick, Emma Stone exudes her dry, sardonic wit and Abigail Breslin reminds us all she’s far from being Little Miss Sunshine.

Of the new cast, Rosario Dawson brings assured charisma, while Zoey Deutch turns what is effectively a movie-long joke character into an over-the-top joy as the brainless Madison.

The film is popcorn-fun and plays it safe but avoids the pratfalls of many comedic sequels (despite rehashing many jokes from the original). It wants to make you smile and enjoy yourself. 

Zombie apocalypses have never been as fun. For probably the best laugh of the film however, stay until the mid-credit scene – you won’t regret it.