Daybreakers (director: Michael and Peter Spierig)

Watched: Jan 17th

Starring: Sam Neill, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Claudia Karvan, Michael Dorman.

Internet Movie Database

She said:

I read somewhere that nearly half of the fiction sold last year was vampire related. That quote may or may not be true but we can all see that vampires are most definately 'in'. But this has a twist. I love the fact that vampires are the dominant species and that humans are the hunted. It makes a nice contrast to the usual 'vampires forced into hiding' plot.

However I have to say that despite a promosing premise the novelty of day being night and vice versa and everyone being a vampire from newsreaders to politicians wears off after a while. The lore, which is the best part about vampire stories, was intriguing but explained too fast. They hinted at a vampire outbreak caused by vampire bats but it is never explored fully... and not in the 'we like to keep you gussing way'.

Overall this film was enjoyable for the basic premise and the gore factor. Vampires like blood and apparently the film makers really do too! If you like to jump and have a laugh at some really graphic vampire action then go see it. I give this film <<<3 out of 5>>>

He said:

One of the most striking things about this film is the setting and set design, at one point I actually leaned over to Helen and remarked on the contrast of human refugee camp versus vampire establishments. Everything in the vampire enviroment was cold, metalic and generally unwelcoming and unforgiving, while being very modern and even practical.
Where as in the human stronghold there are dark earth tones and warm lighting and a general feeling of being protected if not safe. The majority of the human surroundings were furnished in wood and Iron. While the Vampires had the higher end technologies the humans had very solid and practical armament.
I am really not fond of a lot of the overly popular (read trendy) recent vampire inspirations (who in their right minds puts sparkling in the sun and vampires in the same concept?) At the same time I don't think that slapping sharp teeth on the 90210 (Vampire Diaries)demographic qualifies as authentic or viable either. I do however enjoy the Sookie Stackhouse True Blood series and still to this day love Whedon's brilliant Buffy and Angel series. I think this film falls somewhere deep in the middle of the two extremes.
If you are looking for a different approach at what is fast becoming a tired genre and don't mind a ridiculous amount of gore, you should see this film. I give it {{{{3.5 out of 5}}}}

They said:

If you are a fan of vampiric tales - and really who isn't - then give it a go. Despite not raving about the execution of the plot the twist really is clever with some interesting character conflicts. We give this film a combined rating of 6.5 out of a possible 10.