A ‘Daybreaker’ could be defined by a moviegoer as a legendary creature capable of transforming from an undead vampire into a human with a heartbeat. The film Daybreakers may also be defined but in a different way. In a freezing January landscape across the nation (including the 35 degree freezing rain filled Florida) a vampire movie would ordinarily seem like a hot treat. Instead, this particular interpretation of vampirism is as frigid as an iceberg before climate change has caused it to break off and float to the Caribbean!
Ethan Hawke does not have the largest or most recognizable resume. What he does possess is a certain poise that is anything but melodramatic, and a particular look that makes women swoon. His role is that of a self-loathing vampire who coincidentally works as a hematologist working toward inventing a synthetic blood substitute. He researches for the largest blood distributor in the world. Despite Hawke’s pro-human temperament the company he works for farms blood from thousands of human beings used as batteries similar to the portrayal of humans as energy sources in The Matrix. Careful though, Keanu Reeves exudes three characteristics that make his movies work; suaveness, confidence, and fearlessness. Ethan Hawke on the other hand is the most quiet, sweet, and caring vampire in history. The inimitable Sam Neil plays the owner and operator of the blood merchant corporation. It is his charm and eloquence that makes this film bearable. Neil has always played one of two roles and both with craft. In this case he is not simply the arch-villain wishing to exterminate humanity, he is apparently also a business man. To paraphrase a line from Zoolander, Sam Neil is a businessman/vampire not the other way around.
Every character is conflicted. Neil’s daughter is human and for some reason manages to evade the bloodlust of billions of vampires. Yes, I wrote billions because from 2009-2019 6/6.5 billion humans were turned. He eventually decides to turn her into a vampire to establish uniformity, an act that causes her to starve herself. Hawke’s brother serves in the vampire militia trapping and killing the remaining humans. His reward is 100% blood. Apparently, our storyline begins at a critical moment in the history of vampirism. Only 5% of the Earth’s population is still human and no suitable blood substitute has been found. When the film opened vampires were drinking 20% blood with their coffee, a percentage capable of maintaining their life force. When chaos finally breaks loose the percentage of blood mixed in to any meal is a mere 5%.
There is only one other character worth mentioning and he is the star that received the most praise from pundits. I am referring to the seasoned Willem Dafoe. Characterized as the savior of the film by so many, I found his performance lifeless (no pun intended). Playing the role of the first and accidental vampire turned human, Dafoe's character seemed completely forced and out of his element.
When the only featured human character invites Hawke to a pow wow he meets Dafoe and together the trio decide to experiment with turning the undead undead (the redundancy is unable to be helped in this peculiar instance). The experiment consists of Hawke exposing himself to sunlight, then when engulfed in flames he is doused with water and then an air valve is released. This miracle of science turns him human. If the sarcasm is not apparent please feel free to reread! When Hawke is captured and the rag tag band of dimwits are mostly executed he once again is returned to Sam Neil’s office. It turns out Neil would rather have chaos as it is good for business. Recapping more would absolutely spoil any hint of suspense Daybreakers offers.
The best part of the film is the vampire lighting. The special effects director saved this production from something that makes mediocrity look spectacular. Without the yellow vampire eyes every primary character would have looked prosaic and silly. The black and white vampire contrast with the above ground bright coloration is a nice touch. It is absurd that vampires have had 10 years as the rulers of the planet and millennia on the Earth and still have not figured out how to roam during the day without being char-grilled.
Watch this film at your own expense. If the action does not get you, the irony of the storyline will surely bite you in the ass.
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