Has its share of both flaws and assets.

Rating: 7/10 (24 September 2014)

Movie poster artist David Drayton (Thomas Jane), together with his son Billy (Nathan Gamble) and assorted others, is trapped inside a supermarket the day after a huge storm. This storm, which may have something to do with an Army project dubbed "Arrowhead", has created an ominous mist that blankets *everything*. That makes it scary enough to venture outside, but the mist is also concealing monsters - horrible, ugly, predatory monsters. While a short amount of time passes inside the supermarket, people start losing their minds, forming little groups while some get spurred on by religious fanatic Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden).
The best way to view this creature feature is with writer / director Frank Darabonts' preferred black & white version, which is intended to function as something of a throwback to the b & w monster movies made by Universal and other studios in the 1950s. Here, the special effects come off the best and the atmosphere is undeniable. Darabont, adapting the novella by Stephen King for the screen, does well at creating tension and suspense. Once the things start to crawl out of the woodwork, the sense of mystery dissipates, but at least there is some good action to enjoy when this happens.
Carried over from Kings' story is an overriding dose of social commentary, specifically the idea that humanity ceases to mean much in times of extreme stress and danger. This may seem to some people as being very cynical, but this viewer can't help but agree.
Unfortunately, not all of the dialogue is that hot, and Darabont appears to have used the worst possible take from most of the actors in most scenes. They've been much better utilized elsewhere. Harden does the best she can, trying not to turn Mrs. Carmody into an outright cartoon character or caricature. Jane is okay in the hero role but his hysterics at the end are utterly laughable. Frances Sternhagen is great fun as feisty old lady Irene Reppler, and Darabont works with some of his reliable old hands such as William Sadler, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Brian Libby. If fans of 'The Walking Dead' go and watch this now, they'll recognize "Carol", a.k.a. Melissa McBride, as the mother in the supermarket.
The ending here, significantly changed from the novella, is a matter of debate among many fans. Some find it all too effective and disturbing. This viewer, however, found it rather ludicrous.
Overall, a flawed but still arresting bit of entertainment, due mostly to the scenario of a building under siege, a classic theme in the genre.
Seven out of 10.