The best part about a post-apocalyptic world is that the rules are basically out the window. While plenty of similarities can be found within films that deal with the topic, it just takes a few tweaks to change the entire vibe and atmosphere from the usual. When it comes to The Day, director Douglas Aarniokoski (protégé of Robert Rodriguez) gives it a slick, smooth washed-out style that contrasts the gritty, hellacious nature of the subject material. This not only helps make The Day a visually pleasing film, but it’s also is pretty much the only thing that keeps it fresh throughout.
The film stars Shawn Ashmore (Frozen, X-Men) as Adam, who is a member of a group of five survivors that at one point was twelve people deep. The other members of the group are Shannon (A Knight’s Tale‘s Shannyn Sossamon), Rick (Dominic Monaghan), Henson (Corey Hardrict) and their latest, somewhat mysterious recruit, Mary (Ashley Bell). The five are wandering down a deserted road, looking for some sort of safe haven from both the storm, and an unnamed group of killers. With the storm approaching faster than they’d anticipated, they take shelter in an abandoned house in the country for the night. Things take a turn for the worse, however, when the house turns out to be a trap created by the evil group of killers who look to not only kill everyone inside, but also eat them for dinner.
Okay, so, we’ll start with the good. The style used here helps make things visually appealing, which helps add to the atmosphere and overall tone of the story. The colour is washed out, and while it works for the most part, I think leaving the blood a redder tint would’ve helped the look overall, without making it look overly fake. Besides, it’s not as though the kills are realistic looking as is, so why not go the red route?
Also, the idea that most people surviving are doing so through cannibalism is an interesting one; however, it’s not really made clear whether or not these cannibals are taking over the planet, or if the planet is all but destroyed and they’re just picking up the remaining human scraps before turning on one another. What I mean is, the only time we see a group of cannibals (who we are made to believe are incredibly threatening) is when their trap goes off. It’s a decent size group, but they’re out living in the forest. Why would they be in the forest if there are towns, or houses that they could easily inhabit?
I get that they have to go where the food goes, but you’d think they’d build a town, or have some sort of regime that would make them the threat that they are. From what the film makes it seem, there are just rogue groups of cannibals scattered throughout the world, all bearing the same mark, which proves to fellow cannibals that they’re on the same side – and yet, there’s no sense of order, or a greater purpose. How do they all know to mark themselves? Why wouldn’t the regular people mark themselves just so they wouldn’t get attacked?
The entire film takes place over one night, where this group of people must defend themselves against this group of cannibals who really have no coordination when it comes to planning an attack. I mean, they go to all this trouble to make these elaborate traps, where alarms can be heard for miles to alert them to the presence of fresh meat, and yet, they can’t even find a way into the house without constantly losing more and more people.
The acting isn’t bad, but a lot of the choices the characters make throughout go beyond horrible horror movie clichés. Sure it’s frustrating when the girl runs up the stairs with a killer chasing her, but there’s a scene in this movie where three of our heroes are trapped in the basement when the cannibals get there, and the “leader” of this mini-group tears away a few floorboards and has a conversation with them.
Sure, you’d think this would move the plot forward in some way, but it doesn’t, and it just frustrates the hell out of you to watch it. You see, the guys in the basement have guns, and they keep threatening to shoot the bad guy talking to them, but don’t. Why? No reason at all. All the bad guy is doing is saying how they’re all going to be eaten, and he’s going to enjoy killing them, and the guys in the basement just keep saying, “We’re gonna shoot you man! Be quiet!” Just SHOOT HIM! Blow his head off! What else are you saving your bullets for? It’s not like he’s hiding behind anything, or making it hard for them to hit him. He’s right in front of them. Frustrating.
Speaking of guns, the group constantly counts bullets, and talks about saving ammo for when it’s really needed. When the cannibals attack, this is when this tactic is needed most, as the group has giant knives and such, which would work for those up close battles, right? Well explain to me why when two of the cannibals fall through the floor, Adam and Henson both fire multiple shots into them from close range. It’s just illogical. To think that this group has survived this long is incredible when you take into account how they act during the course of this one night.
Another positive is the shooting location, as the house in the country really does have a desolate feel, and when the gray tones are added in, and the trap is set, there really is a feeling that these people have nowhere else to go. The world is empty, dark and dying, and it’s sold as such with what we’re given with the locations and set design.
The Day is the sort of movie you watch when you’re at home, bored and have nothing else to do. You turn it on, watch it, think, “That wasn’t so bad,” and then forget about it. It never strives to be anything more than average, and that’s pretty much where it lands. If you’re in the mood to see one of the few remaining groups of humane people defend themselves against some not-so-swift cannibals, then this movie will likely deliver exactly what you’re looking for.
The Blu-ray transfer here is solid, and the washed-out colour tone of the film really comes through well, while still keeping the gritty feel needed to sell the post-apocalyptic feel of the hopeless world these people live in. The sound also comes through quite well, with some strong musical notes nailing coming through perfectly for certain parts where it’s required to sell the moment.
The only special feature on the disc is a Commentary with Director Doug Aarniokoski, writer Luke Passmore, and producer Guy A. Danella. If you’re interested in knowing more about the film, as they cover locations, characters and other things of note.
The WWE only bought the North American distribution rights to The Day, so those wondering why John Cena or Steve Austin aren’t battling these cannibals, there’s your answer. And while that definitely wouldn’t fit with the tone the filmmakers were going for, I’d be up for watching some wrestlers battle it out in an over-the-top post-apocalyptic flick. Ah well, it’s only a matter of time I’m sure. In the meantime, check out The Day if you’ve got an itch for some end of the world shenanigans, but don’t be expecting anything that will resonate very long once the gray fades to black.
WWE Films presents The Day. Directed by: Doug Aarniokoski. Written by: Luke Passmore. Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Ashley Bell, Michael Eklund, Cory Hardrict, Dominic Monaghan, Shannyn Sossamon. Running time: 90 minutes. Rating: R. Released: November 27, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.
