Posted: Thursday 6th November 2008

Reviewed by Jason Palmer

In a small town in Maine, a storm descends onto the community. Thinking it to be just an electrical storm, David Drayton (Thomas Jane - The Punisher), his son Billy and their neighbour Brent (Andre Braugher - Homicide: Life on the Street) go into town to pick up supplies. When they get there a mist soon eclipses them and they are forced with other locals to seek shelter in the local supermarket. Before long they realise that something is lurking within the mist and it's not safe to venture outside. As cabin fever sets in, the local religious nut, Mrs Carmody tries to convince everyone in the store that this is an act of God and that the end of the world is near. Soon Drayton realises that it could be just as dangerous staying put in the store as people turn increasing aggressive and a lack of clarity affects all of their judgements. Can Drayton and a handful of others escape not only the creatures of the mist but their own townsfolk too?

Stephen King's latest book to screen transition is a mixed bag. When compared with the likes of Salem's Lot and IT, it's clear that it will never attain those heights. However it's a lot more entertaining than most of the recent horrors to grace our cinemas. It makes a nice change to watch a horror that's just that, a straightforward story of terror as opposed to the bloodthirsty carnage of the countless Saw movies and Hostel which seems to be what passes for proper horror these days. Its major trump would be the casting. It's a fine ensemble of actors, some familiar faces that you might not be able to place a name too and a scattering of established performers who combine to create quite a tension heavy film. Thomas Jane, fresh from turning down the latest Punisher movie, delivers a strong performance as the reluctant leader of the piece, David Drayton. Andre Braugher, William Sadler and Toby Jones all do very well too. I didn't think Marcia Gay Harden was very good as the fanatical Mrs Carmody though. It's a role that probably carries more depth in the pages of the novel. The "failed military experiment" angle may have been done to death in movies already but for the purposes of this film it works relatively ok. The creatures themselves do look quite CGI'ed though and it's a shame because once you see them (albeit in part) it really takes away some of the tension.

There may be better Steven King adaptations available but The Mist does its best to create an eerie sense of dread throughout and even if the ending and indeed the "explanation" of the events may find themselves falling onto the absurd pile its still worthy of your time. Frank Darabont's direction has never really been in question and once again he delivers for shocks and jumps and the look and feel of the actual mist and the unearthly creatures enveloped in its density are very atmospheric. As with all good horrors, it builds up panic and despair to good effect and this makes for an entertaining watch. The DVD itself does have some impressive added extras but without doubt the finest option is to watch the film in black and white. It adds so much to the visual experience and is definitely a great reason to buy the 2-disc special edition. If only more movies offered this feature, I'm sure many titles would benefit from the formats stark and absorbing lack of colour. Horrors like The Exorcist and Halloween in black and white would take on new dimensions and make for very enthralling viewing. I enjoyed the B/W version of The Mist much more than the colour one due to its atmospheric feel and I'm sure you will too.