It’s just over 15 years since David Slade’s 30 Days of Night was released in cinemas.
Based on the graphic novel by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith, and produced by Sam Raimi the film had a lot of potential behind it.
At this point we were living in a post-Blade world where comic book adaptations were getting decent budgets and well known actors in lead roles.
This was my first watch in many years and I feel like my opinion hasn’t wilted yet; as I feel it is very much a style over substance film.
We have vampires attacking an isolated snowy town in Alaska, which on paper sounds incredible. Again I just feel like the execution is a little ham fisted.
Josh Hartnett is the lead as the Sheriff and sadly he is one of misfires as he just can’t carry this clunky story on its own. Perhaps 30 Days of Night would have been better being a more schlocky affair?
Danny Huston as Hartnett’s opposite carries a real menace and is magnetic every time he’s on screen, making the vampires a lot more interesting than their human counterparts. Sadly, Huston gets a rather lacklustre demise after being built up as the film’s big bad.
Slade’s direction is at its best when he uses the vampires sparingly or as a peripheral threat.
The score from Brian Reitzell is fantastic too, and really brings to life the vamp threat throughout.
While I know plenty of people who still enjoy 30 Days of Night, I’m sadly in the camp where it diminishes more on increased viewings.
What do you think of 30 Days of Night? Let us know in the comments.
30 Days of Night is available now on Blu Ray and digital platforms.
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