Every time I saw the title "Deadland", I assumed it was a zombie movie. After reading the description a few times (and honestly, I had to re-read the description every time I thought about the movie) I figured it would be pretty decent. What was promised was an exciting tale in a shattered world following the nuclear attacks of World War 3. Sean Kalos (played by Gary Weeks) is a man who survived and is crossing the country in the hopes he can find his wife. Shortly after the movie begins, he gets drawn into the clash between a militant group under the orders of the President, and a resistance group. The militants are taking women as prisoners both for prostitution camps, and also women and men who appear to have a natural immunity to a plague that has swept the country after the war.
I have to admit I was a little apprehensive at the beginning when I saw the name Gary Weeks credited a few too many times. That's usually a good clue that you're in for a real "treat" (meaning - low budget). But I must say this was incredibly well done and acted. So why am I not gushing about this film? Simple, it was pretty slow and a bit boring, with none of the action that the descriptions made it sound like were in store. I figured it would be a cross of Children of Men and 13 Days Later, and while it did have some of those elements it just didn't have a very compelling story. Read the spoiler below for the conclusion and save yourself the time. There are plenty of better movies out there that deserve your attention.
*** WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW ***
So how does it end? He finds his wife and they kill the militant leader after freeing the women who had an immune response to the plague.