The follow up to the surprise 2018 hit musical is a superior movie in every way possible. Although there didn’t seem to be much that they could do with a follow up, “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2” does a darn good job in amplifying what was so great about the first one; the writers are great at adding on to the whole mythos of the town of Seabrook offering even more characters, more potential for more monsters, and give cheerleader Addison her own arc. While in the original she sought to fit in with the zombies, now she’s looking for her own group, unsure of where she really belongs after her experiences with Zed and Zombietown.
Zombies and Humans are getting along well in Seabrook. All of the monster restrictions are gone and the barrier between Zombietown and Seabrook is open. With Zed integrating more and Addison in cheerleader camp, nemesis Bucky has another goal in sight: to become class president. While on a trip with the camp, the cheerleaders come across the werewolves. A pack of lycanthropes led by Willa who is convinced Addison is the mythical “Great Alpha,” they hope to find the long lost Moonstone which will restore their powers and balance in their small community of outcasts. To add to the chaos, there’s the upcoming Prawn on the way, while Zed campaigns for class president hoping to give zombies more acceptance.
“Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2” is infinitely better than the original film, giving the main ensemble so much more to do this time around. That would normally be a hard task considering the writers add on even more supporting characters, but the main cast get their individual spotlights. Zed and Addison’s whole dynamic is also shaken up to where they’re still very much in to one another, but are also given their own sub-plots which transform in to interesting missions of self discovery. Everything about the sequel is just more interesting and better realized, from the new characters, more memorable musical numbers, and even a very good final scene hinting at the answers to Addison’s quest.
While everyone is back and still as good as ever, the introduction of the Werewolf clan compliments the movie’s premise well. New cast members Chandler Kinney, Pearce Joza, and Ariel Martin seem to have a great time in their respective characters’ skins, and I enjoyed how even they get to have their own musical moments. The integration of the werewolf tribe surprisingly works and clicks in to the whole zombie apocalypse and town history accordingly. Some of the best songs surprisingly belong to the Werewolves including “We Own the Night,” and “Call of the Wild.” There’s also the ridiculously catchy “I’m Winning.”
As a follow “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2” is better than the original committing to advancing the overarching narrative and mythology, which is what good sequels should aim for.