Daybreakers
While the overwhelming amounts of vampire projects doesn’t seem to be letting up with multiple TV projects like True Blood, Vampire Diaries and ABC’s upcoming The Gate as well as a little film franchise based on the Twilight books by Stephanie Meyer, the DVD arrival of Daybreakers is a welcome one.
Written and directed by brothers Michael and Peter Spierig, the story this time around isn’t a regular old vampire tales with buff teens that seem to easily find excuses for having their shirts off (not that that’s a bad thing!), but instead is an adult horror film that is as thrilling as it is compelling. And, of course, no disrespect to the young stars of the aforementioned projects but it is almost refreshing to see adult faces like Ethan Hawke instead of the usual baby-faced fare.
The story of Daybreakers is a futuristic tale where vampires have taking over civilization but they’re running out of humans to feed off of. As the human population nears extinction, vampires must capture and farm the remaining humans, or at least find a blood substitute that will satisfy their own needs. (It’s hard not to think that True Blood, the fictional blood substitute drink used in the HBO series, could solve their problem easily!) However, a covert group of vampires makes a remarkable discovery that could either save the human race or, if it falls into the wrong hands, end it for good.
The DVD release of Daybreakers is a goldmine of extras that will satisfy audience members who want to know how this exciting film was made. First, a feature length documentary of the making of the film is a must-see, since it not only shows you the ins and outs of the film process but also how passionate everyone involved about making the film the best it could be.
There is also audio commentary from the Spierig brothers and special makeup effects creator Steve Boyle that gives even more insight. Also in the extras, storyboard and Animatics film comparison, poster gallery, the directors’ short film The Big Picture and the film’s theatrical trailer.
Daybreakers may not have grossed as many film dollars as the Twilight franchise has in the past (and will in the future), but it’s a solid tale and a great addition to the vampire genre.
