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A devastating night storm creates havoc in a small town in Maine. In the morning, after checking the extent of the damage caused, resident David Drayton (Thomas Jane) decides to go out for needed supplies. With his young son Billy (Nathan Gamble) and neighbor Brent Norton (Andre Braugher) tagging along, he drives to the town supermarket. Not long inside the store, they and the other customers begin to feel fear and terror as they see a menacing mass of white mist blanketing everything outside the building. Their terror then turns to horror and shock when they watch these blood thirsty creatures emerge from the mist, break the plate glass walls and windows and begin making meals out of the people inside. In this life threatening situation the residents and out-of-towners in the grocery discuss and plan how to solve their predicament. But disagreements and conflicts shoot up to upset them. A religious zealot, sounding like a preacher, shopper Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden) convinces many among the crowd that the mist is the sign of God’s punishment and atonement calls for a sacrifice. David and those around him see that they could be trapped if they stay inside the building dangerous with the predators just outside the door. Tension grows as other ideas are expressed, like “make a break and run for it” or “stand and fight to the finish” if necessary. Will they be able to come out alive? Will anyone be saved?
The movie is based on Stephen King’s horror-suspense story of the same title The Mist. People holed up in a building for safety have to assess their dangerous situation and how to escape the pending disaster. Arguments on who to believe in, or take sides with, divide them. As emotional tension increases among the characters, the viewers could easily feel the same way as they follow the action on screen. Disagreements raise more heat leading to the need for some violence. Some scenes in shadow help to minimize the brutal acts shown. Though not outstanding, the film is viewable for the suspense and scare make a treat for some movie-goers.
This is a science fiction story. Causes are presented: mainly mentioned are the act of God and sacrifice must be made; and it is a disaster to be solved by the people affected. The solution to their problem, towards the end, became killing themselves and killing others. Should you find yourself in a similar situation, what kind of a solution would you come up with? Are what the people did justifiable?
(Date Reviewed: 08 February 2008)
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