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Daybreakers: A Real Vampire Movie with More Vampires than You Can Shake a Cross At!
For all my loyal devotees (of which I'm sure there are depressingly few), you probably first heard about Daybreakers in my post-summer movie preview. I was so in love with the trailer for the movie that I re-mentioned it when I talked about the Alice in Wonderland trailer. Truth be told, I like vampires...alot. I've been told on different occasions that I look vampiresque (made up word), which given vampires history of being sexually desirable beings of power, I'll take that as a compliment (albeit a creepy one).
Nowadays, vampires have seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the Twilight saga. However, Twilight vampires in so many ways aren't real vampires (though the Vulturi come close for all you Twi-hard fans). Being a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, I'm all about traditional vampires. They can't go in sunlight, a stake through the heart kills them, their thirst for blood is near uncontrollable, most are evil, and a cross burns them. Now Daybreakers takes out the cross, but the rest is there.
The set up for Daybreakers is genius (though not wholly original as its been glimpsed in Blade and other tales too I'm sure): A wolrd where vampires reign supreme and harvest the remaining humans for blood. As with any good story, there is a big problem. Humans are nearing extinction and the vampires are running out of the blood. The movie does a great job of not only creating a believable vampire world but a believable futuristic world. Those two elements come together wonderfully. Of course, the world and visuals are aided greatly by some sharp direction.
The movie is directed by the Spierig Brothers (who I keep getting confused with the Hughes brothers who just put out Book of Eli). Daybreakers is their second film, but first noteworthy release. One thing is clear: If these guys learn to control some of their excesses, they could make some truly captivating movies in the future. The opening scene is beautifully (and tragically) shot. The movie does a great job of contrasting its rare sunny moments with the bleakness of the world the vampires occupy. Most of the movie has a Minority Report look to it which is by no means an insult. From the glowing eyes, to the subtle pointed teeth, the vampires range from deeply foreboding to just f-ing creepy in the case of children. I also want to make special note of the opening credits which did a great job of setting the mood.
However, as great as the set up is as well as the opening cinematography, the movie starts to come apart at the halfway-ish point. Its nothing severe, but it becomes less interesting and a bit more formulaic. This wouldn't be too bad except there was a scene or two at the end that darn near almost ruined the movie. The plots final twist is a great touch. Sadly, like the vampires which occupy it, this film gives into its savage blood-lust. I like gore, I like blood. Really, I do. However, there are a few shots that completely ruin what should be serious and powerful moments. I would go as far as to say if about 30 seconds of various shots during the climax were taken out, we would still have a flawed but better film.
Another problem with the film is the fact that no one seems entirely sure what the central purpose is. I myself thought about it for a good while after. Ultimately, I think its supposed to be the acceptance of death, that stealing another's life so that you can live is the ultimate evil, but maybe I'm digging too deep. The worst part is, if handled a little better and put together a little tighter, this could have been a great vampire movie that would have left its viewers with a lot to talk about. As it stands, its a better than average but mostly forgettable film.
A few closing remarks, Ethan Hawke does a solid job in this movie, playing his usual semi-depressed self (similar to Assault on Precinct 13). The real stand-out however, is Willam Defoe. First off, his name is Elvis, and he is almost never seen without a crossbow. He delivers some fantastic lines that are probably only fantastic because he says them (like pretty much anything Seth Rogan says). The rest of the performances are good and help fill some lack of character development. In the end, my feeling on this movie are best summed up by a quote taken from critic Amy Nicholson:
"[Daybreakers is] interested in societal collapse - that is, when it's not more
interested in the super cool way these vampires explode when stabbed."
P.S. I wonder if its pure coincidence that the main character's name is Edward.
Also, comments are always welcome (and very easy to do).
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