Let me start out this review by saying 'The Mist' will not win any awards this year, but it not a 'bad' movie. Most everything in the movie resembles a TV movie brought to the silver screen. The cinematography is unremarkable, dialog uninspiring and acting campy. But, for me, the movie worked. And, I'll give you some reason why in a moment. First, let's initiate the uninitiated.

The Mist, is adapted from a novella written by, the popular horror writer, Stephen King over 27 years ago. Some have argued that 'The Mist' is one of his most frightening works.

'Mist' director, Frank Duramont, has penned the screenplay for at least three other King works, including a short story he bought from King for $1(The Woman in the Room) that kicked started his career. He adapted 'The Mist' to screenplay as well. Duramont was nominated for an Oscar for his adaptation of King's 'The Green Mile' and 'The Shawshank Redemption(1994).' Both fine movies. Obviously, Duramont know which side his bread is buttered on. With these successes under his belt, there is no reason for anyone involved with this project to believe he would fail adapting and directing 'The Mist.'

'The Mist' is not presented, that is advertised, to compete with other blockbuster movies that were released around Thanksgiving. In fact, I didn't even see a trailer for it at the theaters. All indications point toward a low budget, but I think it transcends it's low budget status.

What's the story about? Well the simple answer is: It's about a mist that befalls a small tourist town in Maine. This 'mist' is not natural and indeed cloaks some rather ominous monsters, if you will. Most of the movie deals with how a small group of townspeople deal with the mist as they are holed up in a supermarket for a couple days. The group consists of quite a variety of people who ordinarily wouldn't associate if close proximity of the 'The Mist's' setting didn't force them together. They would politely say their 'Hellos' to one another and go their way.

However, the tension and closeness of their situation brings some interesting, amusing, and even terrifying situations to the table. Revelation about each other's personal character is presented. The supermarket almost represents a slice or microcosm of Americana. Some of the characters rise to the challenge presented, but fear takes over for many as the group divides based on core beliefs. It is hard to take the character's convictions too seriously when one thinks there are monsters outside that have gooey tentacles, but you can transpose the 'monsters' to your real fears. Then you can relate.

In many cases, the fear is so great, that many of the supermarket captives are brought to their lowest common denominator of human behavior. They begin to act on instinct and leave reason behind. Deep set prejudices are released and realized in unkind physical actions. Much of this is exaggerated for effect and hence lend much humor for the audience and in many respects, redeem the movie because it doesn't take itself too seriously.

'The Mist's' direction is rather odd because the movie covers quite a few serious topics like suicide, religious intolerance, race and social status, to name a few. One the other hand, it makes fun of itself almost in the same context as these serious topics. The audience may be confused on how to act. Should they cry or laugh. Personally, I classified the whole film as being campy. I couldn't be reverent in spite of the seriousness of some situations. I rarely could empathize any of the trials our characters were challenged with. One instance, I did feel compassion was for was a burn victim.

The acting in 'The Mist' was fine for the campy feel that the movie had. I liked the characters because they were like people that you would really meet in your day under different circumstances. I only recognized one character, Jeffrey DeMunn, who played Dan Miller. DeMunn is familar with King fare as he starred in the TV mini series 'Storm of the Century.' Thomas Jane (played David Drayton) lead the movie with son in tow(Nathan Gamble). Jane also starred in another big screen King adaption called 'The Dreamcatcher.' Another actor with plenty of screen time was the town kook, a religious zeolot(Mrs. Camody) played by Marcia Gay Harden. I found her character to be as annoying to me as to the characters in the store. She made the the film feel claustrophobic. She did bring quite a bit of humor to the film and without giving to much away, the audience will be rewarded for enduring her 'wrath.' I also liked the old retired school teacher and the young blond lady who comforted Drayton's sons through most of the movie. These characters were more admirable.

If you are familiar with King adaptions, you won't have your standards set too high. I think 'The Mist' did fair job of King's novella. It was true to most of the novella. Duramont did take some liberties with the ending. The monster effects are pretty good, but I felt that some of the monsters didn't reflect the way King described them in the novella.

I will recommend this movie, but not on the level of a piece of great cinema. I recommend it for it's entertainment value. I found that most of the audience were roaring with joy at the campiness of parts. The film does try to address some serious issues, but never takes itself to seriously. I leaves the audience to decide how it will react.

Don't forget your popcorn and I'll see you at the movies!



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older