Battle of the Damned (2013)

Dir: Christopher Hatton

Dolph Lundgren. Zombies. Robots. That was all I needed to hear to add this low budget sci-fi / horror film to my Netflix queue.

An unnamed city in S.E. Asia (the film was shot in Malaysia) is under quarantine and surrounded by the military with strict orders not to let anyone in or out. Due to a chemical leak nearly the entire population has been turned into rabid creatures hungry for human flesh. While not technically zombies, they certainly act like the fast moving variety of zombies. The head of an international firm hires Max Gatling (Dolph Lundgren) and his band of mercenaries to rescue his daughter Jude (Melanie Zanetti) who was only staying in the city to be closer to her father. Boss man assures Max that the infected are dying from the contagion and will pose no threat but that's not the last lie he'll tell that will affect the rescue operation.

Once Max's crew is on the ground in the city the situation quickly goes from worse to hellish. The infected are hungry and their numbers easily over run the living. Even as the last man standing, Max continues his rescue mission. A couple of weeks later he stumbles across Jude who is staying in an elegant hotel with the last remaining uninfected. The rag tag group of survivors is led by Duke (David THE ROVER Field) who does not want his power usurped by Max, nor does he believe Max is on a rescue mission. Max and the group bump heads until Max is finally able to convince them that the city will be fire bombed.They agree to work together to make an escape.

But what about the robots? Like much of the plot there isn't much of an explanation as to why a pack of robots are seen one day patrolling the streets and gunning down the infected. Max recruits the robots to aid him and the others to escape the city.

With its over the top gore, robots with SMGs for hands, minimal plot and Dolph looking taciturn for most of the running time, BATTLE OF THE DAMNED is a barely entertaining time waster. It ain't high art nor does it come close to reaching the delirious and maniacal heights of B movie favourites like DEMONS or DOG SOLDIERS but it was acceptable for a lazy Sunday afternoon when I didn't want to engage my brain.

** out of ****