Reviewed by Carol Sullivan
Genre: Horror
Released: 14 December 2007
Runtime: 1 hr. 53 minutes
Rating: R for strong horror violence and language
Director: David Slade
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Starring: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Manu Bennett
Writers: Steve Niles, Stuart Beattie, Brian Nelson (screenplay)
Steve Niles (graphic novel) Ben Templeton (graphic novel)
Studio: Sony Pictures
On DVD: 28 January 2008
Features
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Audio commentary with Josh Hartnet, Melissa George and Producer Rob Tapert
Featurettes:
- Pre-production
- Production Design: Building Barrow, Alaska
- The Look
- Blood, Guts and The Nasty $#@!
- Stunts
- The Vampire
- Night Shoots
- Casting
Blood+: Episode 1: First Kiss
Previews
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"That cold ain't the weather...that's death approachin."
-- The Stranger (Ben Foster)
30 Days of Night, based on the legendary comic book miniseries by Steve Niles, is a wonderfully fast-paced horror film! We follow a lone, grubby stranger (Ben Foster), trudging through the snow and he approaches the cliffs that overlook the tiny burg of Barrow, Alaska -- 80 miles from nowhere. Being the northern-most town in the USA, the inhabitants of Barrow are preparing for their unique annual winter ritual -- an entire month without sunlight. Most of the town has already packed up their trucks that are pointed towards the warmer, sun-lit towns to the south, escaping the coming month of darkness.
Before the sun sets on the last day, things are already going horribly awry in Barrow: sled/police dogs are killed, the only local helicopter is irreparably damaged, cell phones disappear and weird things happen at their rather vital power-plant.
Sheriff Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett) and the town's Fire Marshall -- who is also his estranged wife -- Stella (Melissa George), are both none too happy about being stuck together for a month, but there's little time to argue the matter, as the power goes out...as do the phones...cable and internet access.
What better place for an ancient group of vampires to feed and party?
After the vampire's first night of slaughter, the results that you are left with simply can't be ignored...the dull, encroaching void of the wind spreading over zones of blood-slathered snow that drain into the shadows--a very powerful visual as well as great mood-setter. I actually felt the survivors' despair and understood the characters' different reactions to their horrible situation.
Led by Eben and Stella, the remaining survivors must figure out how to stay alive for the next month; all the while, the vampires are toying with them and trying to flush them out. The vampires' patience, intelligence, and endless hunger, combined with their oil-spot eyes and well-honed fangs, make them frightening adversaries.
So, let's shoot to the end-game, without giving away the ending, shall we?
To my delight, 30 Days of Night finds everyone's worst nightmare and drives it home.
What's our worst fear? Being trapped and hunted, am I right? And now, there is no daylight--and no help is coming...Ever.
Brian Reitzell's score was eerie, well done and completely appropriate. It wasn't overwhelmed with heavy-metal music (which I am a big fan of) whereas in this movie it would have been terribly out of place. The focus was where it should be: on the simple townsfolk, thrust into an icy hell.
The entire cast did an awesome job: head vampire, Marlow, (Danny Huston, son of legendary director John Huston and brother of Angelica Huston) is a fabulous bad guy--he and his ravenous clan are combining, what I think is Russian, or some other 'old-world' language, with a hissing squeal that chilled me to the bone; Josh Hartnett aced his role, and the remaining 'townies' more than believably convey their fear, terror and loss, as well as an unbelievable amount of courage, in what appears to be a hopeless situation. They provided a glimpse into the darkest part of ourselves--a brief look at, what I hope that we are all capable of, unsheltered honesty. The storyline goes to the absolute limits of bravery and self-sacrifice, along with kick-ass horror effects!
I don't know what's out there, waiting in the dark and possibly hiding under my bed, but if I should ever be so unfortunate as to find out that it's more terrifying than lurking dust-bunnies, I hope that these believable characters are with me to fight back.
And, yes, friends and neighbors, they do leave hope for a sequel!
This movie is not for the queasy or faint of heart, but is possibly the BEST horror movie that I have seen in a very long time.
Go out and rent it, right now, this minute... I'm dead serious! Or buy it ASAP, as I did. It's an absolutely, drop-dead, must-see for horror fans! This movie will completely blow your doors off!
Out of a possible 5, I gladly give it a 4 1/2 and I can't wait to see it again!!
Don't watch it alone...
Overall Rating: 4 1/2
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