The Mist (Blu-ray)

I have read most of Stephen Kings novels over the years and you have to wonder how he keeps on churning out original ideas. Don't get me wrong, some of his novels do get a little too cerebral on occasions and not all of them have done so well on the screen. However The Mist scores as both a great thriller and a movie that will stay with you afterwards.

Basically this is a story about a group of people stranded in a supermarket after a mist descends on a small town. However this being a King story this mist contains all sorts of nasty creatures, some of which are truly horrific. Beasts, creepy crawlies and nasties in between stalk the streets; where are they from ? Well we do get an a suggestion midway through the film, but best to suspend disbelief and go with the flow.

Basically this film works best on the suggestion of what we don't see. Some of the beasts we just get a glimpse of, others are full frontal. We get to deal with the fears of the characters and their… more »

I have read most of Stephen Kings novels over the years and you have to wonder how he keeps on churning out original ideas. Don't get me wrong, some of his novels do get a little too cerebral on occasions and not all of them have done so well on the screen. However The Mist scores as both a great thriller and a movie that will stay with you afterwards.

Basically this is a story about a group of people stranded in a supermarket after a mist descends on a small town. However this being a King story this mist contains all sorts of nasty creatures, some of which are truly horrific. Beasts, creepy crawlies and nasties in between stalk the streets; where are they from ? Well we do get an a suggestion midway through the film, but best to suspend disbelief and go with the flow.

Basically this film works best on the suggestion of what we don't see. Some of the beasts we just get a glimpse of, others are full frontal. We get to deal with the fears of the characters and their transformation from ordinary townsfolk to, in some cases, heroes and in others victims and villains.

The main character played by Thomas Jane is a believeable anti hero. An ordinary man who really doesn't want to be a leader in a crisis, but ends up facing and carrying out his (and anyone elses) worst nightmare. The ending, whilst over all too quickly, is truly disturbing.

Visually this movie is a treat in hi def. Whilst we don't get much in the way of deep blacks, there is plenty of dodgy CGI action and some of the flying creatures stand out very nicely in hi def. Again, a bit like The Shawshank Redemption, this is a film that doesn't really lend itself to glittering visuals or audio, it is a film that is worth buying for the story alone rather than just to watch and listen to. Did I really say that...but I guess you catch my drift.

There is plenty to test your hi def TV and 5.1 set up, and I would heartily recommend this movie. It's worth the cash for the ending alone.