I didn't know a great deal about this film before watching; I knew it was some form of zombie horror and that it was not a 'normal' genre film. The film reveals this in the first 15 minutes, with an element of mystery before the nature of the children is revealed. Not long after that the military base is overrun (everything is in these films), and a strong group head out with one of the children in their care. As they try to get to another point of safety, the child tries to come to terms with who she is.
The film is good in many ways, and indeed as Theo noted in his review there has been a lot of hype around this, even if it did not translate into success at the box office. The film is an odd mix; on one hand we have the usual zombie situations, but then on the other we have interesting moral situations and items for thought regarding the interactions of the group, and the role of Melanie. To deal with the zombie movie element, it is effective but yet also very familiar for the most part. The scenes are tense, horrific, and effective – although it is a bit erratic in the 'rules' for its zombies, and it doesn't really do anything too different until near the end. The use of locations is really good – well selected and dressed (although depressing to note that one of them is in Stoke, not too far from where I live!).
The more interesting elements of the film involve the idea of the children being infected but yet able to talk and operate as 'humans'. Melanie engages as a character and adds an emotional element for the viewer and the other characters. The film goes to an interesting place in some ways, but then at the same time does not totally make the most of the ideas and potential allegories. What makes the film work despite these weaknesses, is the quality of the delivery. The direction, use of location, and creation of tension, is generally very good. The choice of composer was a mixed bag for me; it is effectively creepy, but at the same time it distracted me a little by how similar it was to that used in Channel 4's Utopia (for good reason, it is the same guy).
The performances are where the strength lies. With the talent in the cast it is even more impressive that it is the child actress Nanua that stands out. Okay her character is perhaps a bit too knowing and sharp, but this does not take away from how good she is. There is a lot of feeling and understanding in her performance, even more impressive to know she is 12 years old. Close is equally as good as the flipside of the character coin; very cold but giving the viewer enough to understand why. Arterton is good even if her character is a bit too clean cut; Considine is quality as ever.
Overall it is an effective horror even if it has genre clichés and plot holes along the way. The delivery and performances go a long way to making these less impacting.
The film is good in many ways, and indeed as Theo noted in his review there has been a lot of hype around this, even if it did not translate into success at the box office. The film is an odd mix; on one hand we have the usual zombie situations, but then on the other we have interesting moral situations and items for thought regarding the interactions of the group, and the role of Melanie. To deal with the zombie movie element, it is effective but yet also very familiar for the most part. The scenes are tense, horrific, and effective – although it is a bit erratic in the 'rules' for its zombies, and it doesn't really do anything too different until near the end. The use of locations is really good – well selected and dressed (although depressing to note that one of them is in Stoke, not too far from where I live!).
The more interesting elements of the film involve the idea of the children being infected but yet able to talk and operate as 'humans'. Melanie engages as a character and adds an emotional element for the viewer and the other characters. The film goes to an interesting place in some ways, but then at the same time does not totally make the most of the ideas and potential allegories. What makes the film work despite these weaknesses, is the quality of the delivery. The direction, use of location, and creation of tension, is generally very good. The choice of composer was a mixed bag for me; it is effectively creepy, but at the same time it distracted me a little by how similar it was to that used in Channel 4's Utopia (for good reason, it is the same guy).
The performances are where the strength lies. With the talent in the cast it is even more impressive that it is the child actress Nanua that stands out. Okay her character is perhaps a bit too knowing and sharp, but this does not take away from how good she is. There is a lot of feeling and understanding in her performance, even more impressive to know she is 12 years old. Close is equally as good as the flipside of the character coin; very cold but giving the viewer enough to understand why. Arterton is good even if her character is a bit too clean cut; Considine is quality as ever.
Overall it is an effective horror even if it has genre clichés and plot holes along the way. The delivery and performances go a long way to making these less impacting.