‘Zombieland’ revives an undead craze

“Zombieland”

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma StoneDirector: Ruben… “Zombieland”

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma StoneDirector: Ruben Fleischer

Studio: Columbia

Grade: A

By now, zombies should be dead. Not undead-dead, but dead in the pop-culture arena. So many recent pieces of entertainment media have driven the zombie phenomenon back into the ground, where it theoretically originated — “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”? Please.

That’s why it is such a thrill to see a movie zap so much life into the craze’s rotting flesh. Yes, “Zombieland” is the re-re-animator of zombie-mania.

Simultaneously hilarious, terrifying, satirical and even briefly heart-warming, “Zombieland” packs more pure entertainment value into its brisk 80-minute running time than any other movie I have seen within the past six months.

Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) — so-called because of his desired destination — opens the film by giving the audience a list of rules necessary to survive a zombie apocalypse (“Rule No. 3: Beware of Bathrooms”). Though initially gimmicky, the creative use and presentation of the rules, as well as their repetition throughout the film, sets “Zombieland” apart right away as a definite member of the crème-de-la-zombie-crop.

On his way to Ohio, across a cartoonishly ravaged Americana landscape, Columbus joins forces with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) — the above-and-beyond highlight of the film. A crude, Jack Daniels-drinking, tough-as-nails good ole boy, Harrelson nails the role.Practically everything that comes out of his mouth elicits at least a smile and, more often than not, a hearty belly laugh.

The two survivors eventually encounter sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), and the film essentially devolves into a road trip voyage of sorts. Their destination is Los Angeles, and when they get there, one of the greatest cameo sequences EVER occurs. It would be sinful to spoil it — but trust that you will nearly die laughing.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how the movie succeeds as well as it does. The mix of wit, slap-stick and satirical comedy sprinkled throughout certainly helps, as does the director’s knack for establishing tension in mere seconds. Perhaps it’s the sheer humanity of the characters. Stone and Eisenberg have great chemistry as two hormonal teenagers with few options for release. There’s a scene with Harrelson that will bring a surprising tear to your eye.

Of course, the action sequences are equally kick a**. The finale, set in a candy-colored amusement park, is the equivalent of a cinematic roller coaster — an incredible rush of adrenaline accompanied by a huge smile that is over far too soon. Actually, that could go for the entire film.

After the mediocre “Adventureland,” this makes two theme-park movies for Jesse Eisenberg, and it’s easy to decide which ride to go on more than once.