Since the last couple of reviews on this blog have been for John Carpenter flicks, it seems appropriate to mention that 30 Days Of Night is one of the bast Carpenter movies Carpenter never made. It's directed by David Slade but shares many of the Carpenter traits such as being a contemporary western, seige movie and horror. Its also stripped to basics thriller, with confidentley slow shots and a primal synth music.Its also very mythic, with the main character Eben having to face his responsibilities to the townsfolk he is sheriff for, but also to his family...his wife Melissa George. As with all good myths, Eben has to make a sacrafice, which occurs in the closing shots. It's always great when a movie ends on a powerful emotional note and 30 Days leaves it's best, and most affecting shot till last.
The Vampires seem ancient, an elegance to the animalistic savagry which Danny Huston comminicates splendidly. Josh Hartnet overcomes the 'plank' status (earned from wooden roles in Hollywood Homicide & Pearl Harbour, to bring subtlety to Eben as he struggles with the bad stuff he's forced to do to survive. Melissa George is fine her too, saying little, but conveying the strength she has to support Eben.
A great, great movie. One of the very best of 2007.
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