Last September both Mike Pereira and myself caught the world premiere of Peter and Michael Spierig’s Daybreakers, their futuristic vampire thriller that Lionsgate would eventually release in January. With the film now on both DVD and Blu-ray, Pereira revisits the film in the below review. Don’t forget to write your own reviews!
The Film

Straight up; I’ve never really been a fan of vampires especially the self-absorbed, tortured, gothic types. Aside from Near Dark, Martin, Let the Right One In, The Addiction, True Blood and a possibly a few others, the clichés that come with them, have been exhausted to death. In all honesty though, vampires are easily the most popular monster around. They will never go out of style. Thankfully, writers/directors, Peter and Michael Spierig have injected some fresh life into these bloodsuckers with Daybreakers.

Admittedly upon first watching it at its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, I wasn’t completely won over by Daybreakers. But like some of my favorites I’ve been attracted enough to revisit, my first impression was dead wrong. The Spierig brothers have conceived a truly original concept in which vampires are at the top of the food chain and humanity is all but extinct. That of course, poses a threat for the vampire race’s future. The Spierig brothers have concocted an ambitious horror/action/sci-fi epic. The plot moves along with stunning momentum. Further insight into this unique world is cleverly inserted from time to time via brief but utterly fascinating news updates detailing the escalating tensions throughout the planet. While it all may seem a bit too much for one film to handle, one has to admire Spierig brothers’ audacity and eagerness to entertain. The action sequences are energetic, scary but also delightful gory fun.

Daybreakers is also one of the most handsomely produced genre films in awhile. The entire world of the film is fully realized with exceptional detail. You can’t keep your eyes off a single frame without missing yet another element that enriches the story in one shape or form. The film certainly doesn’t look its budget with such high caliber CGI and make-up effects work.

The film also benefits from the unusually strong ensemble. Ethan Hawke delivers another rich, honest and unselfish performance. He brings a venerability that also, made his role in the underappreciated Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead so heartbreaking. Willem Dafoe is cast against type as an action hero but somehow makes it work by giving the character a nice understated eccentricity. Sam Neil masterfully handles the villain role by not acknowledging he is in fact, the villain. Plus, he never dwells in scenery-chewing which is refreshing for this type of character.

Daybreakers is my kind of film. It’s clever but at the same time, never taking itself entirely seriously. The Spierig brothers strike that fine balance fairly effortlessly. It’s one of the most feverishly entertaining genre pictures I’ve seen in some time. It’s got a little something for everybody.

8 out of 10

Video

Daybreakers is presented in an attractive MPEG-4 AVC, 1080p transfer. Black levels are deep and detail is consistently good. With the added HD pop you get on this format, one can appreciate the impressive work that went into the production all the more especially the CGI effects. Colors are quite rich throughout especially conveying the differences between vampire and human environments.

8 out of 10

Audio

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is another winner from Lionsgate. The sound design and score are will showcased. The action set-pieces are enthusiastically active. It’s hard not for genre fans to get giddy when hearing blood and guts splatter all over the place. Bass levels are punchy, adding an effective weight and intensity. This exceptional audio mix is guaranteed to show what your sound system is made of.

9 out of 10

Supplements

The feature-length commentary by Co-Directors, Peter and Michael Spierig and Creature Designer, Steve Boyle is an informative and engaging listen.

The Making of Daybreakers (1080p, 2:01:38) is one of the most comprehensive and sincerest documentaries on moviemaking around. You get everything you’d ever want to know about the creation of the film; from the genesis of the idea, the pitch to the studio, right up to its premiere at TIFF.

The Big Picture: Directors’ Short Film (1080p, 13:51) is an intriguing, nicely-made early work by the Spierig brothers. While it doesn’t have any connection to Daybreakers, it’s still a worthwhile view.

The Poster Art Gallery presents seven cool-looking theatrical posters.

With the BonusView Storyboard and Animatics On-Screen Comparison feature, all of the storyboards and animatics appear in a window as you watch the film. It impressively presents the Spierig brothers’ extensive preparation for the film.

You also, get the effective Theatrical Trailer in HD.

9 out of 10

Final Thoughts

Daybreakers is the type of film that seems to get better and better after each sitting, an attribute rare in genre fare these days. It’s a clever and imaginative take on the vampire sub-genre. At the same time, the Spierig brothers keep the entertainment value a constant by not taking the material too seriously. It’s reminiscent of, dare I say it, a John Carpenter film. There’s no greater way to revisit this Daybreakers than on this blu-ray release. The A/V presentation and special features are first rate. The terrific feature-length doc is worth the purchase alone. Hopefully, it’ll find its audience on home video and become the cult classic it deserves to be.

8 out of 10