DAYBREAKERS

Written by Joseph B. Mauceri

Thursday, 07 January 2010

RELEASING: Lionsgate SYNOPSIS: The year is 2019. A mysterious plague has swept over the earth, transforming the majority of the world's population into vampires. Humans are now an endangered, second-class species – forced into hiding as they are hunted and farmed for vampire consumption to the brink of extinction. It’s all up to Edward Dalton (HAWK), a vampire researcher who refuses to feed on human blood, to perfect a blood substitute that might sustain vampires and spare the few remaining humans. But time and hope are running out – until Ed meets Audrey (KARVAN), a human survivor who leads him to a startling medical breakthrough. Armed with knowledge that both humans and vampires will kill for, Ed must battle his own kind in a deadly struggle that will decide the fate of the human race. CREW: Directors – Peter & Michael Spierig; Producers - Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, and Chris Brown; Cinematography - Ben Nott; Score - Christopher Gordon; Editor - Matt Villa; Production and Costume Designer - George Liddle; Visual Effects - Postmodern Sydney, Kanuka Studio, and The Spierig Brothers; Special Make-up Effects - Steve Boyle. CAST: ETHAN HAWKE… Edward Dalton; WILLEM DAFOE… Lionel ‘Elvis’ Cormac; CLAUDIA KARVAN… Audrey Bennett; MICHAEL DORMAN… Frankie Dalton; VINCE COLOSIMO… Christopher Caruso; ISABEL LUCAS… Alison Bromley; SAM NEILL… Charles Bromley. OFFICIAL WEB SITE: www.daybreakersmovie.com/ **"REEL" Value: Story: $11.50 Direction: $12.50 Acting: $12.50 Editing: $11.50 Production Design: $12.50 Special Effects: $12.50 Score/Music: $12.50 Costumes: $11.50 VALUE: $12.13 - After the fast food vampires of the “Twilight Saga,” “True Blood,” and “The Vampire Diaries,” the Spierig Brothers take the vampire myth back to its roots and serve up a film horror fans can sink their teeth into. DAYBREAKERS is another action packed genre treat from the Australian filmmakers, Peter & Michael Spierig, who labored over the 2003 hybrid genre film “UnDead.” Their second feature again demonstrates their passion, talent and vision for their craft and as storytellers. It’s a classic tale redefined by their unique vision and supported by an excellent cast and brilliant special effects. Undoubtedly, these are two of the hardest working guys not just in the genre, but the film industry. There is an interesting blend of themes that borders on a variety of vampire universes, from the contemporary “Blade” and all the way down the line to literary tales from Stoker to Matheson. When compared to their previous film, “Undead,” the narrative seems to follow a similar arch. Likewise, this story ends on an open note that doesn’t blatantly scream sequel but leaves the door slightly ajar for further exploits into this vampire world. DAYBREAKERS delivers all the thrills and chills that action and genre fans crave, but there are a couple of lulls. Still, their intense and tightly craft horror film is a frightfully good time that starts the new year off with a bloody good bang. ** Based on the regular $12.50 ticket prices at a Manhattan theater Jan. 8th, 2010.

 

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