Ethan Hawke has quietly become a reliable, relatable leading man who chooses his projects with a keen-eyed balance between critical and audience appeal (Gattaca, Training Day, Before Sunset), and in Daybreakers he continues in his slightly-better-than-everyman vein with the likability of a sane man in a world gone crazy. Willem Dafoe provides lighthearted charisma as Elvis, a leader of the human resistance, and Neill is sufficiently imposing as Bromley, a bad guy whose family ties lend an unexpected level of viewer sympathy.
The Skinny
- Acting: B (The strong cast performs admirably, albeit a bit colder emotionally than is always called for.)
- Direction: A- (Generates both horror scares and action thrills in spectacular, cinematic fashion.)
- Script: B+ (Clever and socially relevant, although you'll have to overlook some jumps in logic for the sake of a good roller coaster ride.)
- Gore/Effects: A- (Splat-tastic gore effects.)
- Overall: B+ (Intense, inventive, involving and insightful.)
Daybreakers is directed by Michael and Peter Spierig and is rated R by the MPAA for strong bloody violence, language and brief nudity.
