Directors have to realize that graphic novels are often compelling for their visual style and sometimes dialogue. Many are not packed with detailed storylines. In some cases, if the novel is serialized, then there is time for detail but in most, the emphasis is on the "graphic" and not the novel.
PLOT. With this movie there really is no story. The plot is one we've seen often and for decades. Small group of survivors after a catastrophe; the dynamics between them; rescue or pseudo-rescue and big escape/fight scene at the end. So if you are going to cover the same old territory - try to be bold in your imagery to reflect the graphics. But not done in this case.
CHARACTERS. At no point did I care about any of the characters in this movie. The main male lead is a jackass from start to finish. He doesn't deserve to survive this. The main female lead is not much better but at least is presented as someone who can fight for herself. If I was going up against zombies, I'd want Tori on my side and not him. The other characters are throw-away.
LOGIC. There does not appear to be any type of logic to this movie, not that we'd expect it. But one example of trying to get to the adjacent building fails but we never see them try again. (Yet we see lots of tools in the store room and metal shelving that look like they could make an ideal crossing platform.) There does not appear to be any attempt to find out news of what is happening. There is no serious barricading and covering of the downstairs door. No attempt to clean the building of zombies - just lock them away. No searching of rooms, even after the food is taken, to see if there is food elsewhere. Hard to believe that in one casino / hotel that they could not find a gun. No inventorying of food stuffs. When the gang drives off with their food, why would they leave behind many 18L jugs of water. Timing is off as the trip from Reno to Tahoe is only about 40 minutes. So the urgency to stop and stock up on food goods before heading to Tahoe doesn't seem to make much sense. Better for them to have just drive to Tahoe as fast as possible.
ACTING. Normal low level TV acting. No one stands out but no one was completely terrible.
COULD IT BE BETTER? Yes. Some minor plot elements added some interest such as bleeding from the nose due to radiation poisoning or the zombies starving so feeding on other zombies or even eating their own limbs. What would happen if left alone?. Acknowledging the short distance to Tahoe could have added other plot elements to the storyline. Even a beginner cyclist goes about 10 mph and Tahoe is less than 50 miles. So getting out of town, grabbing a bike if nothing else and you could be in Tahoe by nightfall. If these guys did 30 Days of Night thus focussing on the remoteness of Barrows, Alaska then you'd think they'd realize their same area in only a short distance away. Might have been better with an R rating.
PLOT. With this movie there really is no story. The plot is one we've seen often and for decades. Small group of survivors after a catastrophe; the dynamics between them; rescue or pseudo-rescue and big escape/fight scene at the end. So if you are going to cover the same old territory - try to be bold in your imagery to reflect the graphics. But not done in this case.
CHARACTERS. At no point did I care about any of the characters in this movie. The main male lead is a jackass from start to finish. He doesn't deserve to survive this. The main female lead is not much better but at least is presented as someone who can fight for herself. If I was going up against zombies, I'd want Tori on my side and not him. The other characters are throw-away.
LOGIC. There does not appear to be any type of logic to this movie, not that we'd expect it. But one example of trying to get to the adjacent building fails but we never see them try again. (Yet we see lots of tools in the store room and metal shelving that look like they could make an ideal crossing platform.) There does not appear to be any attempt to find out news of what is happening. There is no serious barricading and covering of the downstairs door. No attempt to clean the building of zombies - just lock them away. No searching of rooms, even after the food is taken, to see if there is food elsewhere. Hard to believe that in one casino / hotel that they could not find a gun. No inventorying of food stuffs. When the gang drives off with their food, why would they leave behind many 18L jugs of water. Timing is off as the trip from Reno to Tahoe is only about 40 minutes. So the urgency to stop and stock up on food goods before heading to Tahoe doesn't seem to make much sense. Better for them to have just drive to Tahoe as fast as possible.
ACTING. Normal low level TV acting. No one stands out but no one was completely terrible.
COULD IT BE BETTER? Yes. Some minor plot elements added some interest such as bleeding from the nose due to radiation poisoning or the zombies starving so feeding on other zombies or even eating their own limbs. What would happen if left alone?. Acknowledging the short distance to Tahoe could have added other plot elements to the storyline. Even a beginner cyclist goes about 10 mph and Tahoe is less than 50 miles. So getting out of town, grabbing a bike if nothing else and you could be in Tahoe by nightfall. If these guys did 30 Days of Night thus focussing on the remoteness of Barrows, Alaska then you'd think they'd realize their same area in only a short distance away. Might have been better with an R rating.