Title: Doomsday (2008)
Starring Rhona Mitra, Craig Conway, Bob Hoskins, MyAnna Buring and Malcolm McDowell
Produced by Rogue Pictures, Intrepid Pictures and Scion Films
Written and Directed by Neil Marshall
Score: Technical: 90, Story: 70, Acting: 85, Total: 82
Naturally, when I saw the trailer for Doomsday, I thought to myself, “Wait, did they remake Road Warrior or something?” and sure enough…it tried to with a twist. Doomsday essentially reminds us moviegoers about other post-apocalyptic movies from the past that are great, while delivering us a sub-par movie.
A virus breaks out in Scotland, killing almost all its citizens. London police set up a quarantine to keep the virus out of the city, but of course fails, leaving the head people in charge scrambling for ideas as of what to do. When someone mentions a doctor who may or may not have found a cure, a group of the elite police squad is sent through the doors to find it. Little do they know, but there is a group of survivors on the other side full of anarchy and thirsty for blood. The mission: to find the cure in 48 hours and come out alive.
You know what this movie was good for? Reminding me how great movies like Road Warrior, The Warriors, Escape from New York, 28 Days Later and others are. This movie has been done before several times over, and might I add, much better. If you’re the type who craves violence, this movie hits the spot, but forget about substance.
That being said, the violence, although extreme, is very credible as far as looks go. The special effects team really had their jobs cut out for them, being that this movie is far more violent and gory than most horror films I’ve seen. Between decapitation, dismemberment, and being burned alive, the prosthetic resources were used to the highest capacity.
The film itself delivers very little dialogue and is extremely action heavy. However, the lead actress, Rhona Mitra, is sort of a fresh face to the action scene, sort of acting as a more badass version of Milla Jovavich from the Resident Evil series. Also, the main enemy in the film, Sol, played by Craig Conway, reminded me of Rutger Hauer from Blade Runner in more ways than one. Honestly, he was the best part of this film.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a straight-up action film with no substance, but delivers one hell of a thrill, go for this flick. If you’re looking for anything aside from that, skip this one.
DVD Special Features
-Theatrical and Unrated versions of the film
The unrated just has a lot more blood and violence, not surprisingly.
-Anatomy of Catastrophe: Civilization on the Brink
-The Visual Effects and Wizardry of Doomsday
By far the best feature of the DVD…including the movie itself.
-Devices of Death: Guns, Gadgets and Vehicles of Destruction
