Rating: 4 Pulses

Rated R

30 Days of Night is the first October release intended to terrorize the masses. Based on a popular graphic novel, this was one movie I’ve waited a long time for. The trailer made me curse the six-month wait to see it because of the creepy, bearded narrator and the excellent background music provided by Muse.

The movie is set in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in America. Each year the town is plunged into 30 days of darkness thanks to its Arctic location.

As the sun begins to set for the last time in a month, Sheriff Eben Oleson (Hartnett) is concerned by several strange events around town like dozens of stolen cellphones, a helicopter being dismantled and a pack of sled dogs gruesomely killed.

The crimes seem to coincide with the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Foster) to the town. After his arrest, the stranger begins to warn Eben of the impending doom coming to Barrow.

Then the chaos begins.

As the prolonged night sets in, the power goes out and the attacks start. A group of vampires tears through the town, killing and feeding on the panicked townspeople until only a small group of survivors, including Eben and his estranged wife Stella (George), are left to wait out the month.

Overall, this movie is very well done. Unlike many other new horror movie releases, the acting is actually believable. Director David Slade took the time to get realistic portrayals from not only his stars, but also the supporting cast.

Ben Foster particularly blew me away as he completely reinvented himself yet again as the stranger. His eerie portrayal along with the cinematography and soundtrack brought the terror to a maximum before the attack even begins.

Danny Huston takes it all over from there. As Marlow, the intimidating vampire leader, his cold, meticulous killing is enough to continue the mood through the second half. Although he may not get as much screen time as Hartnett, his character’s impact is memorable and makes the audience constantly aware that he is lurking around every corner.

Contemporary master of horror Sam Raimi lent credibility to the flick by taking on the producing role. Fans of Raimi’s shouldn’t be disappointed by his involvement in the movie.

Like I said, this really is a great horror flick. I’ve heard and read several complaints about how the movie, particularly the vampires, isn’t believable and to that I say: It’s a movie about vampires. They aren’t real. If you want a realistic movie about vampires . . . well, good luck, because I don’t see how that’s possible.

But if you want a good scary movie, 30 Days of Night is most certainly for you.