Gary Ugarek is part of a new breed of indie filmmakers. Sporting a digital video recorder, computer programs, and a do-it-yourself attitude, self-professed zombie movie fan Ugarek has created a movie that looks way more professional than the homemade horror flicks that littered video store shelves throughout the 80's. The only problem, though, is that his first effort, Deadlands: The Rising, just doesn't have the charm (be it from cheap production values or goofy tone) or drive than a lot of the more crudely made films of the past do.

That's not to say Ugarek's efforts are all for naught as there's a few striking moments (the first appearance of the shambling undead amongst the fog during a traffic jam), the music score he co-composed works well despite being repetitive, and the make-up/gore effects are decent; it's just that we've pretty much seen everything in Deadlands elsewhere. On top of that, Ugarek's script never really develops characters enough for us to give much of a care about them as, at times, they seem to drift in and out of the picture. This might've been intentional, to try and give his story more scope (and chaotic mood), but in the end it just manages to disconnect us from what's going on.

In an opening similar to Linda Hamilton's monologue in Terminator 2, we learn that in October of 2008 a chemical attack by terrorists on America would lead to an outbreak of the dead rising from the Earth to attack the living. It's basically the premise from countless other zombie flicks, but Ugarek decides to try and give it a "ripped from the headlines" feel by using 9/11 as a jump off point for the causes of the epidemic. It's an alright idea, to be sure, but it's never given enough play for it to really matter when all's said and done.

With the basic plot line laid out, the rest of Deadlands just follows the evening of the attack as various people attempt to make their way to a Military safe house. The main focus (which, as mentioned before, is slender) is on friends Gary (Ugarek, taking the lead role to add to his heavy workload) and Brian (Brian Wright, who co-produced), who are trying to get back from a trip into the woods and also on Michelle (Michelle Wright) who is Brian's wife and has to try to protect herself and their son from the undead menace. There's also a few subplots about people having trouble getting out of the city (the aforementioned traffic back-up attack sequence) and the tension at the safe house as more people try to get in and more zombies show-up on their doorstep.

It's safe to say that Deadlands offers absolutely nothing new to the sub-genre. Ugarek is a fan of this type of film and you can certainly tell due to the fact he emulates so much from other, more established works. There's hints of Dawn Of The Dead in here (George A. Romero's original and the remake - which might explain why his zombies move so damn quickly) as well as touches of 28 Days Later. It's like his own little love letter to the filmmakers and movies he grew up adoring. Which is all fine and dandy, but there's nary enough "meat" here to keep most of us interested. And while it's fine to keep things sketchy in order to try and build up some tension, there are limitations as when it's overdone (like it is here) it tends to also take away from the overall effect.

Still, this is a moderately well-made "tribute" by Ugarek and you have to admire his determination to get it out there. If he can work on streamlining and tightening up his storytelling, not casting himself and friends in acting roles (most of the cast here is mediocre at best), and take a more original route next time he should be able to top this one easily. It's not a complete loss, it's just nothing worth going out of your way to see. (Chris Hartley, 4/4/07)

Directed By: Gary Ugarek.
Written By: Gary Ugarek.

Starring: Dave Cooperman, Gary Ugarek, Michelle Wright, Brian Wright.

Picture Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen.

Picture Quality: Despite an unspected wide ratio for an idie effort, Deadlands: The Rising looks extremely good on disc. It's a nice and solid picture (as most DV stuff tends to be) with good clarity.

Extras: We get a regular and teaser trailer (plus trailers for three other Splatter Rampage releases), an interview with Ugarek that explains the origins of the movie, an interview with Wright about how he became attached, the "I Am Zombie Man" short film by Nick Thomson with an intro, and two commentary tracks: one a fairly informative one with Ugarek and one with Ugarek, Brian and Michelle Wright, and co-star David Cooperman that finds a lot of things being carried over from the previous commentary.

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