Daybreakers (2009)

So, I decided I'd watch a vampire movie and I watched 2009s Daybreakers starring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. I'll be honest, I'm the eternal pessimest. I didn't expect too much goin' into the movie, however I was pleasently surprised. Don't get me wrong, it's not great. Though it was nice to have some of Willem Dafoe's face covered by facial hair (I'm mean, I know). Ethan Hawke wasn't too bad either. Aside from these two, the acting in the film was forgettable. The story was passable and the special effects were middle of the road.

*SPOILER ALERT*
My biggest grip was the ending. Where's the closure? I understand you have to leave it open to a possible sequel, though I don't see that happening, but you still need to have more closure than that. I mean, just driving off into the sunset with a narration that you have a "cure" is crap.

Here's what I would've done; I would've shown them driving into the city and tracking down those who were turned and wish to be human again and giving them the cure. Then I would have them to tell others they find that want to be human and help them spread the cure that way. Which would then lead to the sequel and have the bad guys trying to stop them. It makes more sense than the b.s. ending this film had.

*END SPOILER ALERT*

Personally, if you have an hour and a half to kill and have NOTHING to do, give it a watch, it'll help pass the time. But if you're looking for a GREAT sci-fi/vampire movie, pass. That is unless you're one of those geeky ladies that gets damp at the thought of Ethan Hawke shirtless.

Flashback to 1995 with 12 Monkeys

This time, we're going 1990s with Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys. Personally, I think Willis' performance was over shadowed by that of Brad Pitt as a mental patient. I found Pitt to be truly entertaining in this role. I will say this much, I've seen more of Bruce Willis than I would ever care to see again....from a male perspective that is. And what is it with Bruce Willis and 1995? He made two great sci-fi films with 12 Monkeys and the cult hit The Fifth Element.

In case anyone is wondering, I'm typing this as I'm watching the movie. I figure it's easier this way to review it.

The idea of future scientists sending someone back into the past to try to change our future/their past, has to make you wonder, should some of the people placed in mental institutions be looked at as possible time-travelers? Not that I'm saying that it is or will be possible. But, it makes one wonder.


While watching the movie, I did notice (as I am one to do) at least one continuity error. During the part of the movie where James Cole is in the county mental hospital he as drool running down his chin, it is then removed by Jeffrey Goines (Pitt) and the camera cuts to a shot of Goines from behind Cole and the drool has returned.


The twitchy behavior that Pitt brings to the Goines character really made the character work in the film. I feel, if done any other way, it just wouldn't have worked as well. I love the use of misdirection with the kidnapping of Railly. Not to mention when they turn to hide from the cops and they're on camera. That's the sort of humor you wouldn't expect in a sci-fi film. Who the hell created the statue in front of the Garden of the Zoological Society? I mean, that's just not right, in my opinion anyway.

The art of misdirection is an art form. If done properly, it can lead the viewer to make a misconception. If done poorly, it exposes the ending before the movies half over with. And if done perfectly, it leaves just a hint of doubt when it's placed.

In the end, this is a very good movie, that if you haven't seen, you really should. I hope I didn't give too much away, I don't think I did.

Crash Underride