Zombie Movies Are Back in 'Zombieland 2': A Mixed Bag?

The concept of a sequel to the surprise hit 'Zombieland' should have raised some eyebrows. After all, how many times can you rehash the same tired zombie apocalypse story? Yet somehow, writer/director Ruben Fleischer managed to conjure up enough fresh ideas for a worthy follow-up in 'Zombies 2: Double Tap.' But does this sequel double down on its predecessor's strengths or has it become too self-aware?

The answer lies somewhere between yes and no. On one hand, the film still delivers plenty of over-the-top action sequences that will satisfy fans looking for more gore-filled fun. The cast - which now includes new additions such as Emma Stone, Woody Harrellson, and Zoey Deutch - also shows some chemistry when they're not busy cracking jokes at each other's expense.

However, despite these positives, 'Double Tap' feels like it relies too heavily on nostalgia rather than trying anything truly original. The writing often comes across as forced or cringe-worthy, with one-liners that feel straight out of a bad '90s teen comedy rather than an actual zombie movie. And don't even get me started on the attempts at humor - while there are some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments scattered throughout (mainly thanks to Harrelson's turn as Tallahassee), much of it feels like lazy pandering.

Overall, 'Zombieland: Double Tap' is a mixed bag. While die-hard fans will likely find plenty to love here, newcomers may walk away feeling somewhat lost or underwhelmed by the lack of genuine scares and tension. Still, if you're in need for some mindless zombie carnage with your daily dose of laughs, then 'Double Tap' might just do the trick - even if it does feel like we've seen all this before.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Recommendation:

* Fans of action-packed horror-comedies looking for more gore-filled fun.

* Those who enjoyed the first film and are curious to see what comes next (even if it doesn't necessarily improve upon its predecessor).

* Anyone in need for a quick, forgettable movie night.

Avoid if:

* You're expecting anything particularly original or scary from your zombie flicks - this one plays things safe by-the-numbers.

* Over-reliance on forced humor and cringe-worthy dialogue gets under your skin (pun intended).

Zombieland movie reviews