Overall Lacks Intelligence

Rating: 5/10 (6 October 2008)

While not a complete dud, 30 days of Night leaves a lot to be desired. It's mostly run of mill and cliché, and contradicts itself in a couple of places. (spoilers!) For instance initially the vampires seem to have super-human speed and reaction, but later in the movie they move at normal motions - likewise with strength. There's quite a lack of explanations, and too bad intriguing exposition with the vampires dialog is kept under wraps. The finale scene although a bit over-the-top does pretty well to somewhat salvage clichéd suspense horror situations and a bad abuse and overuse of gore which hurts the film. Likewise the romance is rehashed and recycled. And there's a completely tasteless scene with a child-vampire. The makeup is done very well though. This is no John Carpentar's The Thing, but it has a few good scenes going for it and technical competency.