In Alaska there is a town that is thrown into darkness for a month each year as the sun disappears below the horizon. On the last day of light most of the residents of Barrow leave town for places with sun. But this year a gang of vampires have realized this is the perfect time to satisfy their lust for blood and killing. Only the law enforcement team of Sheriff Eben and his estranged wife, Melissa, stand between the vampires and their goals.
Josh Hartnett (Sheriff Eben), Melissa George (Stella), Danny Huston (Marlow), Manu Bennett (Deputy Billy).
With a somewhat unique plot as far as vampire flicks go, this one kicks off quick with very little back story or character development. It jumps right into the town going dark and strange things starting to happen. It was a bit frustrating that Eben didn’t start to put things together sooner, or act on the things he was putting together. Once the vampires arrived the carnage kicked into gear and we got plenty of blood, gore, and violence. There were a few plot holes and things that really needed to be explained better but the plot remained functional up to the end. The ending delivered some mixed feelings since it wasn't your usual ending, which was very nice, but it also didn’t make sense when the survivors were so close to making it through the 30 days of night.
Acting was fairly well done, particularly from Hartnett. It was also a joy to see vampires that weren’t dressed either in frilly lace and turn-of-the-century regalia or in tatters but rather as normal people, and that they spoke their own language. Quite refreshing to see them portrayed as real rather than the fantasy dream vampires usually found in books and movies.
Sets were well done as was sound, dialogue, and special effects. Camera work was good but there were a few to many shaky action shots.
Overall this was a refreshing entry in the vampire movie category that will be worth watching again. A quality film, with decent acting, a quality plot, and good execution.
Plenty of blood, gore violence, and some language so limit this one to older teens and above.
30 Days of Night is no longer showing in any Littleton, Colorado movie theatre.
Released: 2007
Reviewed: 9.7.11
Star rating: 4 out of 5
copyright ©2011 Dave Riedel
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