An amazing spin on an old Genre with really incredible film making!!

Rating: 9/10 (27 October 2007)

I've been hearing a lot about the poor turn out of films this fall but I could not disagree more because so far I have really had some good luck in watching some of the fall releases. I had so-so expectations going into 30 Days of Night and once again I was absolutely blown away as I was previously with the incredible "We Own The Night" (See my review), the silly "Sydney White" (See my review) and the far more serious and brilliantly acted "Rendition" (See my review.) So now it was time for some Horror action and it has been a long time since I've seen a really good horror flick and I used to be an obsessive fan of the genre. I love slasher flicks, the numerous sequels and the gore if it's done right and as far as I'm concerned 30 Days of Night does everything right!! You have the ultimate theme and setting of isolation being set in the Northern most part of Alaska in a small mining town that sees 30 Days of Night every winter. Most town folk clear out but for a few workers, police and die hard townspeople. The feel of the film with the wind blown snow and the darkness definitely draws you into this feeling of being completely cut off from the rest of the world and works perfectly. The real magic here is the film makers way of creating the vampire. Now we all know Vampires have just about been done in every which way by Hollywood and I won't say 30 Days Of Night takes it in a completely new direction but definitely unique and some terrific special effects. The monsters are downright terrifying and have this eerie look to them. Their language (Latin?) just adds to the realism and the fear you feel for these people and they are no holds barred BRUTAL!!
Josh Hartnett has had some good roles, although he's never really blown me away and it seems like he's had some issues with finding good strong adult roles but this might do it for him. I thought, having seen the trailers, that he was far too baby faced and immature to pull off being the lead guy in the role as the sheriff determined to save everyone but he actually does an excellent job. Sure it's no amazing acting feat but he keeps you riveted and gets his hands dirty and looks good doing it. Melissa George who I think does have some excellent acting ability plays Hartnett's estranged wife who ends up being stranded there as well in a freak coincidence (hey it's a horror movie.) I wouldn't describe her as the scream queen because she's far too strong to be that. Instead she turns in a very good strong female lead role that is to be reckoned with. Her and Hartnett have decent...so-so...chemistry but then it doesn't focus on that either. They don't take away from the main story to focus on romance. Ben Foster, hot on the heels of his very good performance in 310 to Yuma (see my review) plays a downright creepy stranger who tries to warn them of the impending doom but more to mock them then anything. I think he's pretty well found his niche in acting and might have a hard time finding anything else outside of that, although I remember him quite well from a teen flick called Get Over It where he played the good guy lead. I wish I had the space to break down supporting roles especially that of the vampires but I don't but I can tell you the supporting cast is terrific in their various roles and the vampire cast are all amazing and it's not just the special effects. Each one of them becomes very distinct in their style and character.
Yet another music video director turned Hollywood David Slade takes the helm and I have to give him a huge kudos because the cinematography in this film is just brilliant. The overhead scenes with the torturous blood shed was brilliant and breath taking, the dark and the white snow and the vampires and just everything is brilliantly filmed and really fascinating to watch. Unlike some former music directors turned Hollywood he doesn't fall into the trap of being all over the place with his shots...instead he carefully marks them out and makes it stunning to watch and very, very unique. Maybe the story isn't entirely thrilling or new to watch but it's really good and that's what's important. They don't rush the story...in fact they take time to set up the character and the town and the impending attack. They don't even throw the gore right into your face but they don't hide it either. They won't show you every time someone gets ripped apart so you're not expecting it the next time when they zoom in on an ax taking off someones head. I've read reviewers that complain the whole movie is about this small group moving from place to place and they are right because the movie is about survival!! Of course as with any Horror film you have to suspend a certain level of reality because otherwise you'd hate every fantasy film of any kind but for being what it is, it's not the far fetched or crazy with no glaring pot holes. All in all...until Saw IV rears it's head which I'm already salivating for...30 Days of Night is a deadly killer of a movie and a must see by fans of the genre or looking for a freakishly cool night out. 9/10