2. Playing Dress-Up – Zombieland
You could be forgiven for thinking that 2009 action-horror-comedy Zombieland is inherently a dumb movie based on the blending of genres it attempts (and executes with remarkable dexterity), but it’s actually far more intelligent than it seems. In fact, one of Zombieland‘s best running jokes is Columbus’ list of rules for surviving the zombie apocalypse – most of which center around pointing out the ridiculous decisions people traditionally make in horror movies. However, there is one frighteningly stupid decision made in the film, and it’s actually one of Zombieland‘s most memorable moments.
After holing up in Bill Murray’s mansion, the legendary actor appears as himself. Deciding he’s going to play a prank on the uptight Columbus, Murray sneaks up on the young man disguised as a zombie, and is immediately shot for his trouble. He dies shortly after, and Columbus is racked with guilt.
Let’s just consider for a moment how incredibly stupid a decision that prank really is, though. In a zombie apocalypse where hesitation means certain death, Murray’s idea of a good prank is to sneak up on a man with a loaded gun and pretend to be a threat? It was only ever going to end one way, and though it’s a hilarious moment, it was also an incredibly stupid thing for Bill Murray to do.