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Daybreakers

Daybreakers

Daybreakers rated 3

Watch TrailerView this trailer

Release Date: 08 January 2010
Directors: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill, Isabel Lucas
Details: US/AUS/95mins 16

Whilst hardly original, or boasting dialogue that could be in any way construed as realistic, Daybreakers is nonetheless a slickly helmed, relatively layered film that will entertain those who like their heroes with fangs. In many ways this is a film that John Carpenter would be proud of, as it's a solid entry into the genre cannon; but as with a lot of flicks of this sort, it's impressive core ideas aren't always conveyed as well as they could've been. Part of that can be blamed at the lack of budget, but the script still could've done with a once over before cameras rolled.

It's the not-too-distant future and the world is now overrun with vampires. Humans represent about five percent of the remaining population, and those that are left are mainly harvested to feed the fanged population. But resources are quickly deteriorating, so remaining humans are hunted like animals by the military, while Ethan Hawke's empathetic corporate haematologist attempts to find a substitute form of feeding the masses. Alas, a group of heart-beating rebels led by Willem Dafoe's crossbow wielding veteran may have found a cure; it's just getting a chance to explain it to the vampires before they eat them that might be a problem.

There is subtext galore beneath the surface of Michael and Peter Spierig's ambitious film, and the majority of it makes a lot of sense. The dystopian society they have created feels very real, and almost possible - if you can just curtail the fact that these characters are vampires. It's about greed, and it's about the lengths of which those who have a big black hole of wanting will go to. Throw in conservatism, class divides, and you've a recipe for some tasty satire stew. But it's all played so unashamedledy straight that you can't help but chuckle, especially at the obligatory reliance on coincidence. People don't just turn up on cue; they come through windows in American muscle cars, uttering unintentionally hilarious lines.

All of that said, Daybreakers still manages to be fun for long enough to divert from its many flaws. The Spierigs have an particularly nice visual style, a fine grasp of action and some interesting ideas - even if the main one is ripped off from a crap Blade film.

Review by Mike Sheridan : Agree/Disagree? Write a review... and win Cinema tickets!

Your Reviews

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ultimatenature - ultimatenature

This movie is about ignorance which the other reviewers are showing. This is not a horror movie, it is a statement about how global companies and governments are feeding off everyone's fear and... MORE
Review Published 15 February 2010

Star Rating: ultimatenature has rated Daybreakers  rated 5

Different but ultimately not good enough - pandabat

Welcome to the Vampire Nation - a world where vampires rule and humans are just a food source. Ethan Hawke plays a haemotologist working on an artificial repacement for blood to feed the growing... MORE
Review Published 15 February 2010

Star Rating: pandabat has rated Daybreakers  rated 2

Not good - Jim Redmond

This should have been a great film. Love vampire movies, love Sam Neill and Ethan Hawke, trailers got me really excited. However, my main feeling about it having watched it through is that its just... MORE
Review Published 07 February 2010

Star Rating: Jim Redmond has rated Daybreakers  rated 2

Eeek.... But the vampires don't sparkle in the sun.... - Karma-King

This was realy one those films that the advertisements got me realy excited about, so hats off to the publishers, but it realy wasnt any good, i was bored through alot of it, it didnt realy have that... MORE
Review Published 04 February 2010

Star Rating: Karma-King has rated Daybreakers  rated 1

Granted its not everyone's taste but I enjoyed it - heidi

Probably best to rent this one cause not all are as fascinated as me with regards to this type of flick but I have no idea why it's being slated so much as that's a bit harsh - those that don't like... MORE
Review Published 02 February 2010

Star Rating: heidi has rated Daybreakers  rated 4

John Carpenter would die if he heard what you said! - CB Horror Fan

Well, let's just say that this is one of the greatest non events ever. Being a huge horror fan (and having studied the genre extensively)I couldn't wait to watch it. However, I now actually regret... MORE
Review Published 25 January 2010

Star Rating: CB Horror Fan has rated Daybreakers  rated 2

Just horrible - DayBreaker

This was the worst movie I ever seen!!!! I was lost doing the whole movie..... Save your money and dont go see day breaker!!!!
Review Published 22 January 2010

Star Rating: DayBreaker has rated Daybreakers  rated 1

bad ending good movie - christopher

Better than twilight,the vampires assistent and let the right one in but has a really bad ending.set in a world were almost everyone is a vampire and the remaining humans are farmed for blood.But... MORE
Review Published 17 January 2010

Star Rating: christopher has rated Daybreakers  rated 3

2010 STARTS... with a whimper. - Gerard O'Reilly

I chose to begin 2010's movie year with the highly anticipated Daybreakers,chiefly because i haven't gotten around to reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road yet. Set in the not too distant future of... MORE
Review Published 15 January 2010

Star Rating: Gerard O'Reilly has rated Daybreakers  rated 2

Pure crap - John

God this was awful, the entire story could be summed up in 5 lines. Don't waste your money and if you really want to see it watch it on tv, if it makes it there.
Review Published 15 January 2010

Star Rating: John has rated Daybreakers  rated 1

Atrocious, but in the good way - Chris C

This movie is 2 star gold! Not because it is at all good but because it's so bad, it slips into the realm of comedy. Plot holes are EVERYWHERE, the acting is terrible and over dramatic and the... MORE
Review Published 12 January 2010

Star Rating: Chris C has rated Daybreakers  rated 2

All a bit Meh - LindaDenby

I LOVE vampire films, I really do. This however was very disappointing. Gory yes, but lacking any real edge. The script was laughable and I felt the actors hammed their way through it. I'd skip it... MORE
Review Published 11 January 2010

Star Rating: LindaDenby has rated Daybreakers  rated 2

enjoyable, but throwaway - Ian E

a good way to start the cinematic year. this is by no stretch a genre masterpiece but its enjoyable enough
Review Published 11 January 2010

Star Rating: Ian E has rated Daybreakers  rated 3

Daybreakers... more like heartbreaker - The Stranger

I went to the cinema last night and what we wanted to see was all sold out so it boiled down Daybreakers and an ordinary citizen. We choose Daybreakers. From the onset it was just awful. The film... MORE
Review Published 10 January 2010

Star Rating: The Stranger has rated Daybreakers  rated 1

Slightly different Vampire flic - Siobhan L

The world has changed because of a virus and only 5% of the population has chosen to remain human. This imbalance has lead to shortages and humans are hunted and harvested. Sam Neill runs a company... MORE
Review Published 09 January 2010

Star Rating: Siobhan L has rated Daybreakers  rated 3

Really good, until the ending - edel mccrudden2

Ethan Hawke plays a vampire with a piece of humanity left in him in a world of vampires that use humans like cattle. He is struggling to help provide a new food source for his race as they face... MORE
Review Published 08 January 2010

Star Rating: edel mccrudden2 has rated Daybreakers  rated 3

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