Following the exploits of a serial killer in a world populated by the living dead, Deadscapes II is a continuing chapter in the ongoing Deadscapes series. Obviously shot on an extremely low budget, Deadscapes II is the type of DIY garbage that gives independent filmmakers a bad name. The acting is atrocious and the story doesn’t meanders and is hampered with many inconsistencies. For example, a character is shown playing video games while talking to his grating obnoxious girlfriend with a newspaper sitting on a table near him with a headline that screams, “The Dead Walk,” but then a few moments later the girl stumbles upon a zombie feeding and has no idea what is going on, and after being attacked in plain view of our intrepid serial killer he cautions the girl about the dangers of “those people.”

With a last moment inclusion of such a cliché, the already lame idea falls apart completely since this “surprising” development is telegraphed from the moment this production starts.  It doesn’t help that our heroine is one of the most annoying, over the top leads I’ve ever been forced to identify with. The usual pitfalls of independent filmmakers are all evident here from over exaggerated sound design which makes the simplest ruffle of a plastic bag sound like a shed blowing around in a hurricane to scenes which could have been more tightly edited. Extreme close ups of gore effects and action set pieces, as well as the decision to shoot this in black & white do nothing but call attention to the low budget limitations of the production.

As a zombie fan I really find these independent undead opuses a chore to sit through. It is no secret that a zombie movie is a quick fix as far as productions go. Splash some blood on the wall, put some gooey makeup on your friends that ends at the neckline and you’re ready to go. It’s unfortunate that most aspiring filmmakers that choose to go this route are more concerned with being the next version of George Romero instead of learning the fundamentals of their craft.

• For more information on "Deadscapes," including cast, news, and purchasing instructions, visit the official website.

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