 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Daybreakers
- Review Date: January 2, 2010
- R
- Genre: Thriller
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Moody vampire cautionary tale is heavy on action/violence.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Daybreakers is an action-oriented vampire movie that's heavy on blood, gore, and violence -- in other words, it's no angsty, teen-friendly Twilight. Be ready for disturbing images that depict hungry vampires mutating into horrible creatures, as well as some characters enduring excruciating pain as a way to be "reborn." There's also plenty of strong language (including "f--k" and "s--t") and smoking. The movie has a slightly veiled message about the excessive consumption of natural resources, and the main character actually has admirable traits -- including honor, decency, and selflessness -- but some of that gets lost amid the over-the-top, comic book-like tone and gallons of spilled (and splattered) blood.
What's the story?
In the year 2019, the vampire population has exploded, and the few remaining humans are hunted for food. But when the human population runs out, so does the blood. Worse, the vampires have discovered that when they're deprived of blood, they'll mutate into hideous creatures. Vampire Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke) works to invent a blood substitute, but when he crashes into a carload of humans, he discovers something even better: a cure. Crossbow-wielding "Elvis" (Willem Dafoe) is the key to this, but unfortunately, his evil, profiteering boss (Sam Neill) would rather make money from the blood substitute and will stop at nothing to prevent Dalton from succeeding.
Is it any good?
Directed by the Spierig brothers on the heels of their zombie comedy Undead, DAYBREAKERS establishes a film noir-like mood, with men wearing stylish hats and smoking a great deal -- not to mention the fact that it's perpetually dark. Then, halfway through, the filmmakers successfully manage to switch moods from the grim shadows to a wide-open, sun-baked chase movie with weapons. Though it borrows many of its ideas from older movies, the combination makes them seem fresh.
The movie even manages to say a little something about the rampant consumption of Earth's natural resources without seeming too obvious or preachy. But it also ramps up the blood, gore, and violence to an almost ridiculous degree and very often chucks logic out the door in exchange for some thrills. Though it's possible to relax and go along for the ride, the movie also requires a little bit of forgiveness.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how this movie compares to other vampire media. Why do you think vampires are so popular? Why do you think some vampire movies, etc. are so much more violent than others?
How does the movie address the dwindling of Earth's natural resources? How did the
vampires deal with the problem, and how are humans dealing with similar
problems right now? What can people do to help?The bad-guy vampire character and his daughter (a human) have very different beliefs. How could they have come to a compromise?
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AGE
I did liked this movie when I saw it only because it is something that it could happen someday and the story is well developed. But I dont think it is appropiate for all ages and the concept is negative and the effects aren't to die for.
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AGE
good , very bloody and disturbing . scary makes you jump in your seat now and then
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AGE
Daybreakers
I really cool movie. Gorey, violent, and disturbing images. But nothing super explicit. I would recommend this movie for mature teens 13+.
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AGE
Too much gore.
Okay, well. If you love gore, you will be on cloud 9. Personally, all you Twilght fans should stick to the Cullens, instead of these vampires. SPOILERS: The whole plot of the movie is vampires trying to find blood. The whole community is full of vampires, once there's no humans, the vampires start eating (yes, very gross) other vampires. The head boss kills vampires by setting them on fire. When the vampires don't drink blood they turn into creatures that look worse than the hobbit thing from Lord of the Rings. Overall, too gory.
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AGE
Bella's got nothing on this Edward! Twilight haters will love this, but not for kids
If you are a fan of Gattaca and/or vampires, and hate being asked "Are you on Team Jacob or Team Edward?", this is the movie for you. Be warned, though...the vamps in Daybreakers don't sparkle in sunlight, and if you want a movie with those prissy wannabes, this isn't the Edward you're looking for. In 2019, ten years had passed since a plague that turned almost the entire human population into bloodsuckers. But the blood supply is close to dwindling as a company farms humans for blood. Yes, vamps are immortal. One vamp named Edward scrambles to find a substitute but as he meets a group of humans, he discovers something completely different. Once again, this is no Twilight. Vamps are engulfed in flames in sunlight, and one explodes graphically. Blood and gore are in just about every scene, there are ten f-bombs, and the scenes in the blood farm show human nudity (with wires and harnesses covering the lower halves of each human. These scenes are brief. Also, Edward smokes a lot. As with every other vampire movie ever, blood is consumed in cups and glasses. Finally, one of the humans wears a shirt but no bra, so outlines of her nipples are visible. Overall, Daybreakers is the first good vampire movie in years.
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AGE
Really great vampire movie
This may be my favorite vampire movie (even over Let the Right One In). It's gory, bloody, and scary, yet smart and original. I love the irony of the vampires having to save the humans to survive. The action is great, the acting is just fine, and the story is (can it be? Yes!) original. I don't think anything original has come out of Hollywood for a while! Parents: This is a very gory film, with bodies, living and dead, being impaled, drained of blood, blown up, burned, shot, stabbed, electrocuted (often), and more. There's also jump scenes, disturbing images, brief nonsexual nudity and language. Bottom Line: Even if you're not into vampires, this movie might still work for you. It's that good. I couldn't believe how much I liked it the first time I saw it. And, after mutliple viewings, I still enjoy it. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man
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AGE
Sexual Content: The Real Story
Common Sense Media Says:
"Sex: The heroine runs around braless and in a tank top. But the story's vampire troubles leave very little time for sex, kissing, or romance. "
PARENTS- This is only remotely true, there are about 10 minutes where the 'heroine' runs around bra less, and shes a very small breasted character anyway, nipples barely visible if even noticable, I wouldn't even be concerned with it from a sexual standpoint as it is hardly noticable anyway.
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AGE
yuck
Not enjoyable at all, the plot has been overused so many times.
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AGE
Movie review
Well developed storyline and characters, great film. Watch this movie if you haven't seen it already. But want it for free? Get it free just by filling out a few surveys on the website below
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| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Directors: | Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig |
| Cast: | Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill, Willem Dafoe |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 8, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | May 11, 2010 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong bloody violence, language and brief nudity |
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