So what it’s only been two years since the release of THE MIST? The movie rocks - and merit’s repeated viewings. Even the delusional Stephen King haters can’t deny that! If you (for some reason) opted to avoid this flick upon it‘s initial release - take a few minutes to read this, then slap yourself in the face, get into your car - hit your local Blockbuster and rent this fine piece of work! Director Frank Darabont has once again crafted a beautifully tragic Stephen King story into a stellar major motion picture. Darabont worked with King previously to create the blockbuster hits SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, and THE GREEN MILE, two excellent stories that made for highly successful, and very well put together films. While the storyline behind THE MIST has a bit more 'horror' based content than the aforementioned films, Darabont has managed to extract similar power, character development and depth with his latest King collaboration.
The MIST is a story which focuses on a small town suddenly engulfed in an obnoxiously thick mist, which just so happens, to bring some nasty creatures along with it. Those creatures, in truth are only a small piece of this story. They may be big, foreign and scary to the average human being, but the fact is - a lot of the real scares come not from the monsters, but the humans and the terrifying effects these occurrences can have on the human psyche. And just how quickly a diverse group of locals confined to a small grocery store can lose grasp on reality. The challenge for this group of individuals (as stated), is not just avoiding the creatures in the mist, or escaping their potentially fatal situation. The challenge for this group of individuals, is hanging onto decency, logic, and remembering the value of humanity.
Thomas Jane delivered a solid performance as David Drayton, the films feature character. Jane was required to explore just about every emotion imaginable, and I’ll admit he managed to perform up to the task. I’m not ready to say his performance is award worthy, but it was a clean distance from shabby, and awful convincing in spots. This marks the second Jane appearance in a Stephen King film, as he also played a lead role in the impressive 2003 film DREAMCATCHER. With Successful character depictions in two King films thus far, it’s not inconceivable that we could see him in another future release from today‘s master of modern horror.
Though Jane commands the lead role, Marcia Gay Harden was the true show stealer. Harden portrays delusional Bible thumper Mrs. Carmody, who convinces the convenient store captives that the “end of times” has arrived. It goes without saying that Carmody’s ultimate intent is quite obvious: Separate this group, as sacrifices need be made in order for the ‘greater powers’ to spare the innocent lives captive. It’s not long before Mrs. Carmody has recruited a significant following throughout the store, and it takes even less time for the trapped community to begin wreaking havoc amongst themselves. From segregating, to plotting, to murder, this fearful unit quickly attack, revealing a piece of human nature better left unexplored.
It is in this area, the imagination, the nature of man, and the unpredictable actions when survival instinct kick in, that creates the deepest and most valuable scares of the film. The tension manifested as the rivalry between David Drayton (Jane) and Mrs. Carmody (Harden) escalates is absolutely brilliant. Carmody’s sporadic behavior and rapid mental decline lead to a savagery bordering on insanity. David Draytons will to survive quickly outlines him as the lead character, as opposed to Carmody. Will sensibility and reason overcome panic and hysteria, or will the instability of man lead to the downfall of all? In truth, everything boils down to good versus evil, but the lines become blurred when trying to identify just who, (or what) is evil, and who (or what) stands for good.
Comments (16)
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|2009-07-16 18:24:06 metapho "the great"
Wow!!!! I have never commented on anything like this ever but felt compelled to chime in on this movie.I am the purest of all horror fans. I have seen it all.Stephen King is the all time master....However,though I enjoyed this movie throughout(despite the angry comments by those watching with me), I experienced what several others who left comments observed...The ending is probably the most nonsensical ending ever filmed and completely killed the movies over all apeal.Someone who read the book gave me insight on the books ending which was much more believable than the crap at the end of this film.Still,I say rent and watch it till they run out of gas~
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|2009-07-06 13:16:49 Stephen
I loved this movie. I'm all for character development and to see it used effectively in a horror movie is rare. My only problem with it is Thomas Jane. After the first viewing I thought he was great for the role but after multiple viewings he seems rather... wooden. I have to say that the supporting characters were better acted than Jane's character. I'd say that Laurie Holden, Marcia Gay Harden, and Nathan Gamble were the best out of all the actors.
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|2009-07-04 13:31:22 Michael
Jay,
The film is over two years old. It's time to discuss it. If I sound cranky, it's because I enjoyed it up until that asinine ending. Now get off my lawn.
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|2009-07-03 15:16:17 Tub of Blood
THE MIST was one of the few horror films in the last few years that made me have a renewed hope for horror. It was so sad that people decided not to view it. VERY SAD. Not a remake, not a reboot. Just pure terror and this film delivers on all counts.
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|2009-07-02 13:26:03 Jay
Michael, the whole point of this article was to get people who hadn't seen it yet to give it a shot. Therefore, spoliers are not appropriate. (FANGO apparently agrees with me.) I saw the movie when it came out and loved it, so the spolier didn't affect me in the least.
Now go take a nap. You sound cranky and some rest will do you some good, old man.
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|2009-06-30 21:47:20 Matt Molgaard
I DEFINITELY found Alien Raiders to be a far inferior film, though I did enjoy it. I think there are some similarities (obviously) between the two - but I think ultimately there's much more depth to Mist. But thats just my personal opinion.
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|2009-06-30 20:58:25 Slasher
Sorry - But The Mist is terrible. It "mist" on all points, and being a devoted horror fan I was extremely disappointed. Rent Alien Raiders if you want to see a similar premise done right.
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|2009-06-30 18:49:23 Matt MolgaardI liked the ending, not an exact translation - but it was grim, and I love grim finales.
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|2009-06-30 17:49:39 MichaelWorst ending ever! I'd go into it further, especially since the film was released 2 years ago, but some babies are crying about spoilers. I guess we can't talk about how the shark is blown up at the end of JAWS either? Ooops! I guess I gave away the ending to that one.
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|2009-06-30 14:15:50 Nicole
I'm so happy there are true appreciators out there who can attest to what a great movie THE MIST actually was. It's a shame it didn't do enough business or get enough attention to be recognized for what it was. Darabont sure knows how to translate King into solid movie fare, a task not always done well by many others. King always has something going on below the surface and he's always saying something more than just the monsters and such, and Darabont brilliantly kept those undertones in. So dark, but so good.
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|2009-06-30 11:22:48 Racicot
Sometimes I feel as though I'm caught in the mist when I read and/or hear that people actually bought Marcia Gay Harden's performance.
The character has one note -- and it's annoying as fuck.
Mind boggling.
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|2009-06-30 10:36:51 JayDO NOT READ JOE BOB'S COMMENTS BELOW. He spoils the ending, which is one step above child molestation. Jerk.
Can't FANGORIA choose to not publish comments with spoilers?
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|2009-06-30 08:46:40 Paul
Holy crap how funny, I just saw this movie last night for the first time and then went on imdb to check out more about the Laurie Holden girl, and saw the link to this article which was written today.
Thank god for Netflix because I would probably have caught this on an TNT showing with all the good parts edited out. But I agree that this was a great horror movie which really irked my girlfriend and I during the mob scenes (she said it was reminiscent of The Lottery).
I thought the shaky cinematography they used was a little weak but a good movie and a good thriller with some good gore and horror scenes too. The ending was phenominal and really captured well by Darabont. I agree, great under rated movie!
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