On the way home I went to look in a local DVD shop for horror flicks. Being aware of the game,I was intrigued to find that a second (?) had been made,which led to me getting set to see the dead rise.

The plot:

After getting a zombie outbreak (somewhat) under control,the army (who have taken over the government) put a chip under people who they suspect could turn back into zombies,so that they can flip the switch and kill them if needed in the future. Secretly following the army,a TV news crew capture an army officer revealing the plans. Spotting them,the army makes killing the reports the new endgame.

View on the film:

Taking on the "difficult" Video game adaptation genre,the screenplay by Tim Carter & Michael Ferris surprisingly present a rather coherent story! Using brief flashbacks over the opening credits to fill in the background detail,the writers level up with a brisk zombie Horror/conspiracy Thriller, neatly cutting from the remaining zombies evolving into something more cunning,to the reporters fearing death from the undead and the army.

Showing the game itself in the movie,director Pat Williams pays stylish tribute with smooth hand-held fight scenes,and rough tracking shots catching the dark corridor anxiety of the game. Offering a mix of "classic" slow zombies and the new "virus" kind,Wiliiams hits a strong combo in practical effects,with extended tracking shots building up the pace of the running zombies,whilst the slower zombies are treated to eye-catching slimy killings,as the rising dead reach their endgame.

DEAD RISING: ENDGAME is the sequel to WATCHTOWER, a middling zombie flick and video game adaptation that starred Jesse Metcalfe. This one's far worse, a make-it-up-as-they-go-along kind of film that offers bad direction, boring scripting and routine action. Metcalfe returns and is on autopilot throughout, joined by Billy Zane in a small role at one point, and Zane should know better. As for gore and zombie action, you can pretty much forget it as it's all inherently disappointing.

This is the sequel to "Dead Rising: Watchtower." You are given a very quick viewing of the first film during the credit run and are suddenly thrust into East Mission Zone (2 years later) where Chase Carter (Jesse Metcalfe) and friends are investigating what the military is doing there. It turns out General Lyons (Dennis Haysbert) and the evil pharmaceutical corporation are up to no good with Project Afterlife. Chase and company discovers the particulars of the project and must return to the mission to hack a computer. In doing so they must battle fast moving Z's, chemists, doctors, and the military. There is a scene where after they lose their weapons, they must manufacture their own. The military is after Chase with "extreme prejudice." There is no character introduction and they all seemed like strangers. At one point it appears the video game on which the first film was based was being played on a TV. The movie has pauses (for commercials?) as if this was made for TV. The production seemed to be going through the motions as if they were in a hurry to get on with the third film as it leaves some loose ends. Should have been better. Soft 3 stars.

Guide: F-word. No sex. Brief zombie nudity near end.