30 Days of Night

[Remo D]

Okay, we've been subjected to the hype for months on end, and we've got a Number One at the boxoffice as a result. We all know that this is the vampire film set in Alaska during the "30 days of night" and that it's based on a popular graphic novel.

Beyond the obvious, does it pay off?

Absolutely! Great undead siege setup, incredibly creepy/disgusting vampires (who love to play with their food), tight pacing (for a nearly two-hour movie, especially), liberal bone-cracking, gore-spurting violence... and one of the biggest shockers of all for a vampire movie... something resembling an original ending!!! Oh, I'm sure you can call me on some of the particulars, but this is by no means your umpteenth "par for the course, it'll do, but we've all seen better" monster-of-the-week film. This one stakes out (no pun intended, because you don't stake these vampires) fresh territory and holds on to it ferociously.

Okay--if I must carp about something? The exposition at the beginning is fairly obvious. Here's the vehicle with the big blades. Here's the pulverizer. HERE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE LATER IN THE FILM, OKAY? Sled dogs eliminated. Alternate transportation sabotaged. All understandable and acceptable. But are you REALLY asking me to believe that the vampires (or the mysterious stranger) managed to sneak into town and steal ALL the cell phones for a bonfire without ANYBODY noticing or managing to hold on to their own???

But like I said, that's just carping. Deal with it for ten minutes and then watch the flesh start to fly. Bottom line--don't miss out on this one.

[Irrylath]

sweet.

I was gonna see it Friday, but everyone disappeared on me. So!! maybe I'll go on my day off.

stealing cell phones, you say? I freak out if I don't have mine on me. I use it as a watch also, so I'm constantly looking at the damn thing. They'd hafta be awful sneaky to get mine and have me not notice for at least 15 minutes.

[Chris Slack]

Not bad at all! Lots of gore and killer looking vampires. 8/10

[Darth Tanner]

I was really interested in this one after seeing the trailer. Now having read Remo's terrific (as usual) review I'm really fired up about it. I definitely have to go out and see it this weekend. Thanks for the heads up Remo;)

[DylanDog]

Went out to see it today and enjoyed it. It was definitely better than the comic, which felt rushed. The movie really takes it time and lets you feel the desperation of the citizens of Barrow. Otherwise, it was very true to the comic, right down to the dialogue. Action and gore were topnotch. Also, I loved how they just jumped in and got right to it. No extended, or even short, opening credits. If you've not seen it already, definitely check it out.

[Clark Chaos]

I really liked this movie, never heard of the book. But they did a great job and no Hollywood ending.

[Lode]

Finally saw this last night, and it was really great. What I loved about it was that it didn't try the false scare so many times that it was overdone. The gorey visuals and sounds well made up for anything lame. The "love" story between the leads wasn't overdone or mushy. The ending, yes Remo, was finally somewhat original. The suspense was just good enough, but not TOO suspenseful - they actually get to the point. And just the thought of living in Barrow, AK was enough to freak me out in the first place. Let alone it being overtaken by vampires hehe.