This film had all the ingredients of a cinematic experience I awaited with anticipation. I am fascinated by desolate snowy wastelands, sled dogs and rugged, unshaven men battling against a greater foe than the inclement weather. One of my all time favourite polar horror films is John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982).

I should not compare 3o Days of Night with The Thing. The Thing has a fantastic script and mind boggling special effects for its time and superb actors, even Kurt Russell astounds with almost Shakespearean dedication to the art. 30 Days of Night is a comic book translated to the big screen with a dire script, uninspired acting, except for the quirky talents of Ben Foster as ‘The Stranger’, and too much chaotic blood and gore shots. Nevertheless, it delivers enough fright to have me pinned to the seat in terror at each fast paced scene.

The Vampire creatures that overrun the town, taking advantage of the prolonged darkness, are realistic and credible. There are no wooden crosses and garlic in this film. The head vampire speaks in a mysterious ancient language instead of a pseudo-Transylvanian accent and the other vampires screech in a high pitched, eerie and feral roar. One in particular bears an uncanny resemblance to Marilyn Manson to add to the freakish image of these monsters. They strike their victims at supernatural lightening speed which is disturbing and kept me on my nail biting edge throughout. There is a lot of promise but sadly the psychology of terror does not come through with such a poor script and minimal characterization.

The editing of the film is not too hot either and does not really deliver the sense of utter despair and helplessness of being trapped in a remote town for 30 days ravaged by rampant blood suckers. However, the cinematography is effective in capturing the stark and uncompromising landscape from which there is no escape for the vampires’ victims.

Overall, it is a film that I would recommend to watch on the big screen and even if it does lack the substance it makes up for it by being very well dressed. Some viewers might just prefer that.