Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with another look at 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, this one a little more positive than the last few I’ve posted. I have a lot of faith in the director, David Slade, and Weta Workshop’s supply of bloody gore, so I’m hoping the below review is more reflective of how I’ll feel about the flick. Enjoy!
I attended a screening of 30 Days of Night recently and I wanted to give a little word about it since I really haven't been seeing too much about one of the films I was really looking forward to – aside from those amazing posters everywhere – they have an odd reddish glow that looks really eerie late night in the subway stations.
I've dug on the graphic novel for a little while now but mostly for the art; I thought the story had a great premise but in execution felt a little hack. When I left the theater I mentioned to someone how it was like every panel was put on the screen. The thing is, it's not… not at all, and in the best way. What it DOES do (and very well) is re-create the incredible atmosphere of the novel. Templesmith's dynamic artwork gives an incredible sense of hellish natural elements with the quick predatory motions of the vampires and David Slade's direction is perfectly in sync with that world. It's got common threads with the book, but it really is amazing how different it is yet how similar it felt. I like the feel of Hard Candy a lot but here he goes all out making a wicked wicked horror survival flick. And oh my lord, those vampires. I absolutely love the design of them. Think more of human sharks than Draculas. Those dark piercing – slightly upward tilting eyes and mouths barely able to contain rows of jagged teeth. And no blood-sucking here, this is a feast – ripping and tearing at tendons. Once the movie starts they all start donning these beard-like blood stains from all their eating. And this one overhead tracking shot is the greatest. Brutal. The gore is ferocious and perfect. Not mean like Saw and Hostel, but there is plenty of it including THE best decapitation of all time. You'll know it when you see it. The only issues I had with the film are less my own and more of what I know people won't like. I'm not going to bother telling you them because I really loved the movie and they are petty enough where if I call them out you'll be looking for them. BUT I will say the ending will divide people who read the book and people who didn't. The acting is solid in the film, I've always like Hartnett ever since I saw 'Virgin Suicides' and he's great here as Ebin the town sheriff. Melissa George is just fine and looks hot in a puffy parka. But guess who steals the show here… Ben Foster does it again. His character isn't too far off from his 3:10 to Yuma role but it's just so cool to watch him do his thing. This is a great survival flick and if you liked the book, or the trailer you'll enjoy it. If you use this call me Bunking Cousin
