Review of Daybreakers (2010) by Russ B — 19 May 2011

This movie had some good things about it, and some bad things about it. It was a vampire movie, and those are popular right now, but there is something a little different about this one.

Its the year 2019 and a disease has infected the world. There aren't many humans left, but there are plenty of vampires. And they are getting hungry. The world blood supply is low. Edward Dalton is a hematologist looking for a blood substitute or a cure. Time is running short though and as the last humans are being hunted up, he finds himself compelled to help them. And they may be able to help him to a cure.

Characters:

Ethan Hawke: Edward Dalton.

Willem Dafoe: Lionel Cormac.

Sam Neill: Charles Bromley.

Claudia Karvan: Audrey Bennett.

Michael Dorman: Frankie Dalton.

Isabel Lucas: Alison Bromley.

Vince Colosimo: Christopher Caruso.

Robyn Moore: Forensic Investigator Simms.

I wasn't really taken with any of the characters. None of them were real well played. For all the emotion that could have been used in this movie, there just wasn't that excitable feeling to it. Ethan Hawke was rather lackluster and while he played an important character, he just didn't seem important.

For the plot it was a basic virus breaks out we have to cure the world. Nothing new there. But I did like the little nuances of the movie. The way they made a culture for the vampires and provided all the detail surrounding it (papers, ads, signs, restaurants, etc.) was impressively done. I don't remember much about the music, so obviously it wasn't memorable. And to be honest, writing this review a few days later, I had to think for a couple minutes to remember that I did watch this particular movie. So it was easily forgettable.

Not a terrible movie but definitely one that I won't be watching again any time soon.

Review by M. Reynard 2011.