The Darkest Hour is an Apocalyptic Sci-Fi film that was released on Christmas Day by Regency Enterprises. It’s also an apt assessment of the current mind-numbing trend of excessive CGI and 3D “technology” in mainstream American cinema. Far from dazzling my senses, this approach induced a brief sensory overload followed by an acute disconnection to the rest of the film. If that’s what you were trying to do, well done. If not, will you please, for the love of God, stop! Your money would be much better spent on talented writers, actors, and directors.
The Darkest Hour, directed by Chris Gorak, stars Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minhella, and Rachel Taylor.
Read the synopsis and my review after the jump…
28 Days-like thriller that follows five young people who find themselves stranded in Moscow, fighting to survive in the wake of a devastating alien attack.
First of all, I think they meant to say “28 Days Later-like thriller…” 28 Days is a movie about rehab staring Sandra Bullock. Sloppy copy pisses me off.
Next, let’s talk about invisible aliens. Invisible aliens are exactly as interesting as invisible monsters, invisible psychopaths, or even invisible robots—In other words, not interesting at all. Know what’s scarier than invisible aliens? Visible aliens. Filmmakers attempting to induce thrills, please make a note of this. I suppose someone thought this would make for a good pay-off when we finally do see the ugly buggers. This might have worked were the aliens not such a disappointment. I could describe them, but I don’t like taking cheap shots.
Let’s address the issue of Indestructible Youthful Vitality, for how else can you explain how one guy has a perfectly trimmed goatee even after spending the best part of a week in a storage pantry? And that’s just one tiny example of the cast’s complete grooming perfection throughout. None of the main characters sweat, or bleed, and their hair is always perfectly gelled. This is where The Darkest Hour utterly fails to create the gritty realism of 28 Days Later. Shame on you for comparing your mediocre film to this genre-shattering masterpiece! Unless you are trying to make a film feel sterile, please allow your characters to ooze bodily fluids when appropriate. Some of us intelligent viewers will be greatly appreciative.
I know it’s a bit early for New Year’s resolutions, but I’m making this one now: No more reviews of PG-13 Horror movies. I’m drawing a line in the sand here and now. PG-13 makes you just about as scary as an episode of The Vampire Diaries or Supernatural. I will use my critical powers to extol brave filmmakers who refuse to bow down to neo-conservative censorship. Hence forth, let PG-13 be the kiss of death in my eyes. Next on my chopping block: 3D. Then: CGI. I’m sorry Prometheus, I fear I will not love you.
As a critic, I try not to have unrealistic expectations. As I absorb a film, it’s almost as if I’m keeping a subconscious tally of positive aspects verses negative aspects. The column with the highest number usually gets the slant. In that sense, The Darkest Hour is well served by its above-average storyline and solid acting by Emile Hirsch and Olivia Thirlby, but overshadowed by its unrealistically slick production. This film was pretty much what I expected (which isn’t really a good thing here). Now I’ve got to ask you Studios: Is this really the best you can do?
2.5 out of 5 Skulls.
Saucy Josh writes a blog for intelligent Horror Movie aficionados called Blood and Guts for Grown Ups: https://bloodandgutsforgrownups.wordpress.com/