Plenty of scares on shoestring budget

“Rammbock: Berlin Undead” parlays the standard virus-infected cannibal mutant horror film into an effective, atmospheric tale of claustrophobic paranoia as two men struggle to stay alive inside an apartment complex besieged by hordes of infected humans.

Michael (Michael Fuith) arrives at the apartment of his girlfriend Gabi (Anka Graczyk) to return her keys, now that they've broken up.

That's when the far away screams signal the viral epidemic about to hit Germany and turn law-abiding citizens into insane, screaming, killing machines.

Michael and a young plumber's apprentice named Harper (Theo Trebs) become trapped in her apartment building, and, with a few people still clinging to their sanity in neighboring apartments, try to figure a way to escape.

Directed by Marvin Kren, this German-language production (English subtitles are supplied) is part of an AMC Theater horror series called Bloody Disgusting Selects.

At least four other series features will be released this summer as part of the series.

“Rammbock” is an auspicious beginning.

It adds nothing new to the “28 Days Later” canon of viral homicidal maniacs.

(Note: This is not a zombie movie because there are no reanimated dead people in it.)

But Kren performs wonders on a half-a-shoestring budget by concentrating on the characters instead of gore effects, and letting Moritz Schulthieb's color-dead cinematography and a minimalist score (by Stefan Will and Marco Dreckkotter) keep the nerve-jangling suspense high.

But seriously.

Can't filmmakers make a zombie/vampire/viral maniac Armageddon movie where the survivors aren't the cute young couple with their sunny futures ahead of them for a change?

Seriously.

<b>“Rammbock: Berlin Undead”</b>

★ ★ ½

Opens Wednesday at select AMC theaters. Rated R for violence. 60 minutes.