Blu-ray Review – 30 Days of Night (2007)

      30 Days of Night, 2007.

      Directed by David Slade.

      Starring Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Mark Boone Junior, Manu Bennett, and Mark Rendall.

      SYNOPSIS:

      When an Alaskan town is enveloped in darkness for a month, it falls prey to a ruthless gang of vampires. Throughout the 2000s, vampire films became somewhat undesirable, largely due to a certain saga that depicted these bloodsucking creatures as melodramatic teenagers with sparkling skin. Nonetheless, a few titles emerged that demonstrated the potential for a gruesome and menacing portrayal of the undead in an R-rated film without sacrificing horror elements.

      Adapted from Steve Niles' 2002 comic book series, 30 Days of Night unfolds in the isolated Alaskan town of Barrow, which experiences thirty days of darkness each year. This is typically manageable, as many residents vacate for the month, leaving a small group to maintain order. However, during this particular polar night, Barrow finds itself visited by a ghost ship filled with vampires.

      Under the leadership of the malevolent Marlow (Danny Huston), these vampires do not present themselves as seductive beings but instead brutally hunt down the townsfolk who have stayed behind, killing them for sustenance rather than converting them into vampires. Sheriff Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett) and his estranged spouse Stella (Melissa George) unite a small group of townspeople to devise a plan to halt the relentless bloodshed, but with no sunlight for weeks, they must find a way to survive without their ultimate weapon.

      Originally released in 2007, 30 Days of Night debuted during a resurgence of horror films that were performing well at the box office. Unlike many low-budget, poorly lit torture flicks, this film boasted stunning visuals, an engaging storyline, and an exceptional cast that appeared genuinely invested in the horror genre. Nearly two decades later, despite the prevalence of locked-down, lingering shots in modern cinema, the shaky-cam technique characteristic of the time is more pronounced, yet this new restoration is breathtaking, with each frame exhibiting remarkable detail akin to a standalone movie poster. This is especially clear in the opening scenes featuring a vagrant stranger (played by Ben Foster) standing amid the frozen landscape, gazing at the approaching ghost ship, showcasing incredible clarity and scale.

      While this film is predominantly dark in its visual presentation, the fresh restoration allows viewers to discern every intricate detail in each scene, including the snowflakes drifting as the survivors navigate the nearly deserted town. Although the desire for the characters to survive is strong, the vampires are undoubtedly the primary focus, and their presence shifts the film's tone dramatically.

      Danny Huston, Hollywood royalty, is an unexpected choice to lead a cadre of bloodthirsty creatures—unless there were intentions to revive Hammer's gothic style, in which case he fits perfectly. These vampires manifest as soulless beings without charm or humor, equipped with enormous teeth. Their appearance is defined by black contact lenses, gnarled fangs, and elongated nails, and the filmmakers crafted their own vampire language for the film. Huston's portrayal is exceptional, as he communicates in a series of eerie screeches and howls, his vacant gaze turning him into a creature to be feared once more. Their enigmatic nature adds to their horror, as we receive no background on them—they simply emerge and wreak havoc.

      The protagonists are well-developed characters that viewers can root for. The Sheriff and his wife have a backstory revealed as we meet them, with townsfolk discussing their separation. Stella intended to return to the southern US states for the month but missed her flight due to an accident, leading her to stay and, inevitably, rekindle her love for her husband in the face of danger. Josh Hartnett and Melissa George display strong chemistry, making their past relationship believable despite their performances becoming somewhat repetitive by the film's conclusion. Nevertheless, the script necessitates certain narrative arcs for the story to reach its end, and it all comes together effectively.

      The film also features the familiar face of Mark Boone Junior from the 1990s and 2000s, along with impressive gore effects—including one of the most striking decapitations ever captured on film, a seamless blend of CGI and practical effects. 30 Days of Night remains a visceral horror film filled with rapid vampire action balanced by slower, reflective character moments, and this new 4K restoration presents it in its finest form. The plot may feel a bit contrived, requiring some suspension of disbelief, but it is ultimately a horror movie, not a biographical account.

      The Blu-ray includes newly extended interviews with director David Slade, actor Mark Rendall, composer Brian Reitzell, and creator Steve Niles, as well as archival behind-the-scenes featurettes and an audio commentary by Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, and producer Rob Tapert. There's ample content for fans who wish