DOOMSDAY ½

Directed by Neil Marshall this British sci-fi/action pic stars Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Adrian Lester, Alexander Siddig, David O'Hara, and Malcolm McDowell. One hour and fifty minutes long it is rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexual content/nudity.

The story starts in present times when British authorities brutally quarantine Scotland after a killer virus strikes. This works for three decades – until the dreaded virus resurfaces in London. An elite group of specialists is urgently dispatched into the still-quarantined country to retrieve a cure by any means necessary.

The direction is fine, the British cast is very capable, the CGI effects are acceptable and there's plenty of very bloody action for those who like that (in general, younger males). With all that going for it you'd think someone might have spent an extra hundred bucks or so to get a plot that didn't insult the intelligence of the viewer. The basic story is fine, but when the group goes into Scotland, a country cut off from the world for thirty years and without electricity or manufacturing capability, they discover the remaining populace has plenty of petrol for Molotov cocktails and is driving all sorts of vehicles. How so? Then, there's the fact the citizens of Glasgow basically eat each other (they have a nifty, large barbecue) even though there are thousands of cows roaming the countryside. Their leader likes to address them as the head of a rock band, complete with P.A. system and electric guitars. When Mitra and her cohorts need a vehicle they find one that's been in storage of 30 years, doesn't have a speck of dust on it, and starts immediately (wow, what a battery). When speeding down the highway (looks to be in perfect shape) there's a flashing warning informing them they're going too fast! I could go on but I think you get the picture. To add insult to injury, the ending clearly indicates a sequel is to be expected. I can hardly wait.