Single-minded entities with a taste for human flesh have long caused a collective shudder up the spine of cinema-going audiences.

But first-time director Ruben Fleischer had something different in mind when he set about filming last year’s unlikely hit, Zombieland.

When hell is full, the dead will walk the earth…

The aptly named Fleischer shows unnerving skill in his debut outing which veers away from the George A Romero-school of socio-political allegory.

What we get with Zombieland is a blend of horror and comedy that rivals the early works of horror maestro Sam Rami.

The movie is narrated by a character played by Jesse Eisenberg, named after his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. On his travels across post apocalyptic America, he encounters the gung-ho Tallahassee, played with aplomb by multi-talented Woody Harrelson.

An unlikely relationship ensues as Eisenberg’s cautiously introverted self clashes with Harrelson’s shoot first, ask questions later, mentality.

Geek sheik versus Last Action Hero…

The binary opposition between Eisenberg and Harrelson plays out like a boxing match between Judd Apatow and Wez Craven.

While this central pairing loses some of its punch when a romantic interest is introduced courtesy of Emma Stone’s Wichita, Fleischer’s clever direction and script never gives up on the laughs and splatter.

Zombieland fits neatly alongside Edgar Wright’s Shawn of the Dead, but ramps up the action set pieces in true Hollywood style.

Throw in a Ghostbusters related cameo and all-action amusement park ending, and the fun is all but guaranteed.

Inventive, funny and stomach-churning all in one, Zombieland is a must for any horror-comedy connoisseur.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars – available on Blu-ray and DVD