Zombieland - a lesson for nerds everywhere

Zombieland is a spectacularly funny film. Whether you're an old hand at zombie genre movies or a newbie looking for a giggle, it's for you. The film is mostly a comedy with a couple of jumpy bits chucked in to remind you that it's a zombie film. Over 90 minutes we follow the nerdy and introverted 'Columbus' (I don't remember if the main character's real name is ever revealed), his chance meeting with the lunatic zombie-killing hick 'Tallahassee' (Woody Harelson) and their adventure across America with two sisters trying to get to a funfair in California - the sisters are also known only by the places they're trying to get to. Columbus has a series of rules for surviving the zombie apocalypse - which is pretty funny in itself. Throughout the film the rules appear on screen as he and Tallahassee fight their way unscathed past hordes of zombies. Nice.

That's just one of many nice touches in Zombieland, touches that include some wonderfully detailed sets and quality black humour moments like a pair of arms stuck to a steering wheel. The best comedy bit is the appearance of Bill Murray in the middle; I knew that was coming, but it was far funnier than I had imagined. To be honest I was in my element in the opening montage, in which slow-mo zombies chase people around in stunt-man's heaven while 'For Whom the Bell TOlls' by Metallica plays. There was no way I wasn't going to enjoy myself after that.

So what of the plot? I really don't get on with films without plots. Although on the surface the film is simply a series of blackly comic set-pieces, there is in fact a very simple and enjoyable story going on. It's a story about a lonely nerdy guy - Columbus - and his coming of age via some extreme violence, finding a girl he kind of likes and - of course - surviving a zombie apocalypse. It delivers an important message to the nerds of the world; keep on wearing your seatbelt and doing your cardio exercises, cos when the zombie apocalypse comes and all the other guys in the world have been eaten, the chicks will have to make time with you then.

Overall - it's a great comedy with a lot of heart. Although it's not quite as good as 'Shaun of the Dead' (what is though?), it's certainly going to find itself high in my movie of the year chart.