'Zombieland: Double Tap' Review: Hilarious and Zombie-Filled Continuation

Rule #1 in watching Zombieland, just enjoy the ride.

Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures

A hilarious, zombie-filled continuation of its predecessor, Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland: Double Tap brings us back to where it started and adds new characters to join the fun of the star-studded, all Academy Award-nominated foursome of Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. It's as if nothing has changed with these characters even though in real life, there have been monumental changes to their careers. For one, Emma Stone is already an Academy Award-winning actress, but her character Wichita is still the same Wichita we know from Zombieland.

It's literally a continuation only with additional characters that either add spice or create conflicts to their established dynamic. Presently, the gang lives in the White House. Stone's Wichita and Eisenberg's Columbus are still a couple, while Breslin's Little Rock and Harrelson's Tallahassee have an unspoken bond of a father and a daughter. The core four is still together killing zombies, living together despite their differences. Columbus still abides by his rules, Wichita and Little Rock still don't like to be attached, and Tallahassee continues to tolerate them despite being out of his comfort zone. Only time will tell when they start growing tired of each other.

Even zombies have some developments. They now have names for each kind of zombies: 'The Homer', which are the stupid and slow zombies; 'The Hawkings', a.k.a. the thinking man's zombies which were named after Stephen Hawking; and 'The Ninjas', these zombies appear out of nowhere. But these are the same zombies they've initially encountered so they took it to the next level by including running zombies that are difficult to kill. Imagine the zombies in World War Z. They called it, the T-800.

But then again, as much as I love seeing zombie action more than anything in a zombie movie, what makes Zombieland, both 1 and 2, even special is the comedy between the leads. They could make a TV series out of them and we wouldn't get tired of seeing them interact with each other despite their obvious disparity. It's what makes the "Zombielands" watchable, even if it lacks the gruesome and offbeat zombie killings it's known for and even if some of the jokes don't land well. Double Tap actually lacks the zombie action and the natural & fluid humor of the first, but it makes up for new and unforgettable characters you wouldn't mind joining the foursome in future sequels. Most especially Madison, a hilarious character turn for Zoey Deutch, who got fascinated by Columbus' rules and ended up being the third party in the Wichita-Columbus central relationship. She's the third party that you wouldn't mind messing an already cute and formed relationship because she's that funny and outstanding.

But despite Madison, the foursome remains the heart and soul of the film, with Tallahassee having the most heroic arc of the four. The final scene in a new placed called Babylon where guns are not allowed and hippies kumbaya with each other is a little bit short of the exhilarating theme park scene of the first, but thanks to another character played by Rosario Dawson, it got a short four-wheeler truck action that's fun to watch.

Zombieland: Double Tap has the same formula of the first which you wouldn't mind especially when you go out of the theater smiling because of its silly but happy ending. It makes  you want to see more of them. The good news is, the actors seem 'game' for more.

'Gemini Man' Review: Clones, Not Clowns, Rule

To talk about Gemini Man is to talk about Ang Lee's ongoing journey in making 120-frames-per-second film-making a trend in the world of cinema, or at least, in his world. Pioneering this technique on his 2016 military drama Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, it lapsed to eye-catching but divisive reception. But obviously, it did not stop Lee from pursuing it.

Instead, he ventures with an explosive and action-packed material, not necessarily turning his back from what he's used to shooting. After all, one of his films was Hulk. But it's certainly a change from his emotion-filled film streak.

Photo Credit: United International Pictures

Gemini Man stars Will Smith as Henry Brogan, a first-class assassin ready to retire but was suddenly chased by a young operative leading them to a global game of cat and mouse like any other action movie in recent years. The twist is they seemingly could predict each other's move. Smith is joined by Mary Elizabeth Winstead who showed minor action skills, Benedict Wong as Smith's sidekick, and Clive Owen, a former Marine officer seeking to create his own military organization of elite soldiers through clones.

Gemini Man put clones in a nutshell, simplifying a complex idea in ways that are not necessarily new plot-wise. Not surprising considering that Lee has been eyeing this material for years and many films about clones have passed before this was even conceived. What stands out from other clone films, however, is Lee's continuous conception of fresh ideas to the way we see movies. It's really admirable considering he's been doing extraordinary things in what's typically viewed as usual film-making. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work especially the de-aging CGI effects. But the intention is very much appreciated. That's why, as cliche as this sounds, this should be watched the way Ang Lee intended it to be seen.

Photo Credit: United International Pictures

Seeing this in 120 FPS and in 3D or in the most immersive way possible would make the experience worth it. It's truly an experience and I seriously believe that Lee has given new meaning to the word cinematic. There are standout scenes that I haven't seen, experienced rather, in a cinema before even if the scenes include a usual motorcycle chase scene, or the leads running away from a thousand bullets. They're astonishing.

Apart from its action, it's about humanity--what's humane and inhumane about the process. But that's only a footnote from this movie and putting meaning to an obvious film about techniques and choreography, both cinematography and stunts, might even be a reach. This is sad because Ang Lee used to make films that bring out emotions in his audience even in his first effort in utilizing the technology. Gemini Man might seem to be the most immersive and hyper-realistic, but it's also the most emotionally distant.

'Joker' Review: A Commanding Joaquin Phoenix Acting Circus

Comic book movies found the newest light of day in Todd Phillips' Joker. Although light may not be the best term to associate it with, as it's definitely one of the grimmest movies of the year.

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

With the surge of superhero movies, and now super villains, Joker took it up a notch with its approach and content--staying away from superpowers and focusing more on its subject's descent to madness. The declaration stating that there will be before-and-after Joker might be true after all. I wouldn't be surprised if the succeeding origin movies from now on will continuously reinvent the genre. If not, they'll sidestep to another existing genre that's rarely used in comic book movies. I'm almost already certain that Birds of Prey will use the same technique as this. Although this isn't that original anyway especially with Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight that still feels fresh after a decade since its release.

But there's definitely a change. One that could surprise especially the superfans both in a good way and in a bad way. It's very much about Arthur/Joker and very little about his connection with Batman. There are no magic tricks, but what it has is Arthur's genesis that is disgustingly humane and harrowing. In a way, Todd Phillips' Joker asks the viewers to sympathize with this sad, sad creature but overall it feels wrong however unfortunate his past and present were.

It's a simplistic straightforward story but the journey to its core is startlingly dramatic. It turns from heavy drama to horror and it rarely takes detours to its descent. If it does, it's about his mother and his past. When it stops, it makes a commentary about the garbage situation of the contaminated Gotham city that's not exclusively referring to it as a place but rather as a community. "It's crazy out there", he says. Other than that, it's really about Arthur, his condition and his longing to belong.

As straightforward as it is, it has an incredible amount of craft injected into it. Hildur Guðnadóttir's score and Lawrence Sher's images complement the filth of Gotham, the madness and emotions of Arthur, and the overall eerie vibe of the film.

Then there's Joaquin Phoenix who might really be the best of his generation and with the Joker role, he's able to show what he has in him. Sometimes it's overbearingly good, and sometimes it's inordinately not. It's a commanding performance from start to end. One that's also associated with physical transformation. He pretty much utilized the material as his circus and it feels like he had a good time with it while taking it seriously at the same time. He can't not take it seriously because Arthur's origin is really dark and disturbing. His 'Joker laugh' is also pretty bothersome as it should, making it a scary disease you wouldn't want to wish even to your worst enemy.