Daybreakers – Techno Vampires

Guess you won’t mistake this for a teenage girl’s film.

Daybreakers has been building momentum over the past few months as a film that brings back the traditional Vampire genre instead of the sparkly Twilight vampire mytho. Following the footstep of Blade and 30 Days and Nights, we have a vampire film that stuck to it’s roots.

Surprisingly, this is an Australian film with a handful of Australian actors playing supporting roles with Ethan Hawke as the lead and Sam Neal as the corporate villian.

Something something something BLOOOOODDD MEEEE

Set in 2019, the film is basically about 90%+ of the world population opting to be the walking undead. But like all living things (well, they’re not exactly alive), they need to eat and their main source of food is human blood. Just like in Blade, the Vampires are harvesting humans so that supply doesn’t run out.

Have you had a dream that was so real…. and when you wake up, you’re drowned in your own blood? (How do these people shit? oh wait… I think that’s what the other tube is for…)

But unlike The Matrix, there’s no Zion to capture humans to replenish the cattle that’s died from old age. So, the Vampires need to find a new source via science and synthetic blood that doesn’t have side effects.

The film is dark and bleak with actually very little action but the pacing is fine as we follow Edward (Ethan) on his quest to make his heart beat again and see himself in a mirror instead of a video screen.

Maybe if we look into each other’s eyes long enough, we won’t get hungry.

Thumbs up to brother Directors, Michael and Peter Spierig for making a commercial viable film in Australia. I think the film will sell okay for overseas and not actually having it set in Australia (everyone has American accents) is a good thing… Screen Australia, you backed a good horse here.

Remember the time we went hunting and we shot a bunny with a bow and arrow? Well, this will hurt a lot more.

There’s nothing revolutionary here and maybe I would’ve liked the 3rd act to be not so rushed and better character development/conflict. But overall, I enjoyed the film and sci fi and vampires do mix well.

Ra ra oo la la! I want a sequel!

Oh, and Isabel Lucas of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen plays a small role too. Although it’s small, I’m sure enough Tranny fan boys will watch Daybreakers for her. Which is a good thing for Aussie films.

Now I’ve been in a Robot and a Vampire movie!