Review of Against the Dark (2009) by Van R — 28 May 2010

The marginal Steven Seagal action thriller "Against the Dark" is as gruesome as it is ghoulish, but it is also wholly predictable pabulum. The only thing that sets this picture apart from Seagal's previous films is that he battles supernatural adversaries. Sadly, the one-dimensional Mathew Klickstein screenplay boasts no humor and the pallid dialogue is primarily expository. None of the characters experience any change or growth, short of losing their humanity and transforming it flesh feasting zombies. In other words, "Against the Dark" is neither as entertaining as "Under Siege" nor as much fun as "The Glimmer Man." Aside from Seagal, the only two recognizable stars in "Against the Dark" are Linden Ashby and Keith David, and they are squandered in supporting roles back at headquarters as they agonize about the plight of humanity in light of the epidemic.

As for the paunchy Seagal, stylishly decked out in a long black leather coat, he wields a nasty razor-edged sword, slashing his way without a qualm through an army of zombies, while his companions either blast away at them with firearms or use other exotic cutlery. Occasionally, Seagal resorts to a shotgun, but he never delivers any dialogue that constitutes comic relief as he did in "The Glimmer Man." Although it resembles vaguely the apocalyptic Will Smith sci-fi movie "I Am Legend" because it concerns a widespread viral epidemic infection that cannot be vanquished except by death and destruction, the taciturn Seagal hero named Tao spends most of his time off-screen.

Meanwhile, we are left watching a sympathetic but expendable bunch of victims as they navigate their way through a hospital during after dark infested by zombie predators that feast on the entrails and flesh of the dead. During the final half-hour of this 93-minute saga, director Richard Crudo tries to drum up suspense by cross-cutting between our heroes trying to get out of a contaminated area before a flight of jets carrying bombs that will sterilize the area drop their deadly cargo.

The opening narration sets the stage for the action and brings us up to speed on the setting. "Once the infection hit, there was little time to react. People did what they could, but since no one was immune to the effects of the virus, the authorities were ultimately helpless as the infection rapidly spread. All who became exposed and survived an initial attack began their own relentless quest for blood, attacking and feeding upon the innocent. There was no vaccine. No known reports of individuals being immune. Neighborhoods and entire cities were wiped out. Many surviving humans like us were left to fend for ourselves, moving around during the day and hiding at night, barricading themselves inside secure buildings. Others formed vigilante groups or became hunters, swordsmen who were tracking down and killing the infected. We were lucky when we managed to find a refuge, a place with some food and shelter where we could survive until we could be rescued. But without location no longer being safe and the chances of rescue becoming more and more remote, our options were running out. It was now us against the dark." Clearly, you can see the resemblance between "I Am Legend" and "Against the Dark." Indeed, "Against the Dark" could have been a prequel to "I Am Legend." After they harvest another bunch of bloody zombies, Tao (Seagal) turns to his team of hunters and observes with a straight face: "We are not here to decide who is right or wrong. We're here to decide who lives and dies." Unfortunately, there is nothing new or exciting about this atmospheric zombie flick. Only hardcore Seagal fans will want to watch "Against the Dark" and they'll probably feel cheated.