Synopsis: Ten years after a plague has turned most of the world’s inhabitants into vampires, an undead hematologist joins forces with humans to find a cure for vampirism.
Release Date: January 8, 2010 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Horror, Science Fiction
Film Review
Production
From the first blood curdling scream of a child a mere minute into the film you think to yourself…this should be an interesting ride. You are right. The plot is interesting. Almost the entire world population has turned into a Vampire and they run things now, using humans as a means for blood through harvesting. The problem is that the human race is dying out, and the blood reserves are empty. The entire world is starving and without a solution the Vampires will die also. This epidemic they are facing is allegorically presented in relation to world hunger which gives the movie a grander meaning when looked upon closely. They are also inevitably searching for a cure for humanity itself. To be rid of the soulless undead who are full of greed and power from their presumed invincibility. Not only do get a horror/thriller/science fiction film full of deeper meanings and tons of metaphors but it also delivers on the action and conspiracy levels. It may not be extremely fast paced as it does take its time moving along but it never puts you in the place of feeling like you are waiting for something to happen. You may think it takes itself overly serious at times but it is trying to be more of an intelligent horror film. No harm in their attempt as far as I could tell. When it fails at the seriousness just laugh for a second. Laughing is never a bad thing.
Sound
If a vampire starves he slowly turns into a bat-like hybrid creature that is undeniably disgusting. They also inherit a set of vocal cords that releases an unrelenting and terrifying high pitched noise. Alongside the high pitch is also a very low base level that causes vibrations throughout you and the theater walls. It makes for great startling moments when these creatures make an appearance on screen. You may want to take small sips of your soda at a time, just in case.
Action Sequences
A thing to really love about the action in this movie is how different it compares to other films. We are used to hearing gunfire and the sound of bullets piercing skin, metal, and anything else they may come across. There are no bullets in this movie. We are dealing with Vampires and as the old tales tell us, a Vampire must be killed with a wooden stake or fire. So instead of gun fights you get cross bow fights and fireballs. It may be quiet as it begins but once the fireballs start exploding the sound will jolt you awake. There is a semblance of a gun used by the Vampires but they only shoot tranquilizer darts. They cannot kill the humans after all, they need them for food. If you worry that this alternate form of action will not please you as a good old fashion gun fight rest assured. There is more than enough blood, heads blowing up, screaming Vampire bodies on fire, and humans getting darted to keep even the most critical of action horror fans happy throughout.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Michael Spierig
- Producer(s): Michael SpierigPeter SpierigEthan Hawke (Edward)
- Screenwriter(s): Willem Dafoe (Elvis)Isabel Lucas (Alison Bromley)Sam Neill (Charles Bromley)
- Story:
- Cast: Matt VillaBen NottGeorge Liddle
- Editor(s): George Liddle
- Cinematographer: Christopher GordonPostmodern
- Production Designer(s):
- Costume Designer:
- Casting Director(s):
- Music Score:
- Music Performed By:
- Country Of Origin: AustraliaUSA