Examining Film Openings | Zombieland (2009)

Ah, now where would we be in our post-apocalyptic examinations without a zombie-ridden blood fest of gore and gratuitous violence? Zombieland - the film that stars Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg - is set in a not-too-distant future where foot and mouth disease has jumped species and has, of course, turned most of the world's population into the ravenous undead. But fear not, there are elements of romance, comedy and action to coincide with the gore. 

There is little to no dialog used in the title sequence of zombie land. The music used for the film opening is Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls." Great song. Great opening. The music also connotes a hell-ish environment and adds an energetic but still very negative tone - and appeals to the target audience: Young people and students.

Throughout the opening, different clips of civilians running away from zombies tells us a bit about what to expect in the film, as well as fill in the gaps of how the world 'ended' without boring the viewers with too much background knowledge. People came to see this film for one purpose only: violence and zombie...and the opening could singularly deliver this without the film ever being mentioned.

Silimar to I am legend, the titles used in the film assimilate with the mise en scene and interact with whatever might be in the frame. For example, the credit can be blocked or broken apart by thins in the frame.

The font is bold, in capitals and looks similar to carnival signs, which foreshadows some of the film's plot.

The title of the film is in the same style as the credits and interacts thusly with the surroundings. For example, it crumbles when the man in the clip smashes the glass with a crow bar in slow motion.

COSTUMES/CHARACTERS

The goodies - and anti-heroes - of the story dress in clothes similar to the time the film as made, similar to I Am Legend. 

• The main character (Columbus) on the left is the narrator and our guide to surviving Zombieland. His body language is closed and he's clutching a shotgun, and is also trying to stay a part of the group. 
• Wichita and Little Rock (The centre girls) are clutching each other, but also wield guns. This tells us they have a strong bond, but are just as vicious than the men beside them.
• Tallahassee (The one in the cowboy hat) is by far the most calm and casual member of the group. Large, imposing but also possessing an open body language - we can tell, just like in Mad Max and I Am Legend that this dark knight has a softer interior...like a twinkie.

The Zombieland zombies, unlike the I Am Legend creatures, are distinctly more humanoid (And clothed) but just as menacing. These fast moving zombies break the mold of the stereotypical shuffling undead made famous by George A Romero. Ironically, they dress like the target audience, by begs a few question about whether or not this apocalypse has already happened.