A first time director makes a zombie apocalypse movie ? What's the gimmick ? you ask . How about a brooding , introspective film where not a lot happens and is directed in a very obvious independent style . Nothing too radical about that you say but here's the hook - sell it to the public by casting an erstwhile mega-star who despite being ultra popular with cinema goers in the 1980s and early 1990s was never an actor and cast him in a pivotal role that requires him to act . This might be playing with fire or at the very least seems like a cynical attempt to publicise a film in a market it's perhaps not suited for . Let's face it here guys , if you're old enough to remember Arnold Schwarzenegger then there's only one thing you're going to expect and that is over the top violence with weapons that never run out of ammunition and cringe inducing one liners
!!!!! SUGGESTIVE SPOILERS !!!!!!
And if you go in to this film expecting any of this you'll probably either fall asleep or stagger out of the cinema in a state of terminal boredom long before the end credits start . MAGGIE was originally going to star Paddy Considine in the role of Wade and director Henry Hobson deserves some credit in getting a fondly remembered big hitter as a casting coup . Again let me emphasise however you're not going to see much in the way of action because this is a character driven film concentrating on mood , long silences and pained facial expression . There's also another clue as to what you're going to be watching and that is the title of the film is MAGGIE and so it revolves around the titular teenage character played by Abigail Breslin finds herself succumbing by a terrifying disease that is sweeping the world . There is some very haunting , understated moments in this film which often feels more like a drama than an out and out horror and it's something of a revelation seeing Arnie in such an unusual role . I don't think he'll be up for Best Supporting Actor at next year's Oscars but it's good see him a film that cost a mere four million dollars which wouldn't get the average Hollywood star out of bed
It's not a flawless film of course . Hobson direction doesn't perhaps have the urgency the story perhaps needed more and means MAGGIE isn't as captivating as it should have been with a bit too much in the way of long pregnant silences . He's also a bit too reliant on close ups which becomes a little bit too noticeable very quickly . But despite these flaws for a movie costing four million dollars it's a fairly impressive feature length debut from a first time director
!!!!! SUGGESTIVE SPOILERS !!!!!!
And if you go in to this film expecting any of this you'll probably either fall asleep or stagger out of the cinema in a state of terminal boredom long before the end credits start . MAGGIE was originally going to star Paddy Considine in the role of Wade and director Henry Hobson deserves some credit in getting a fondly remembered big hitter as a casting coup . Again let me emphasise however you're not going to see much in the way of action because this is a character driven film concentrating on mood , long silences and pained facial expression . There's also another clue as to what you're going to be watching and that is the title of the film is MAGGIE and so it revolves around the titular teenage character played by Abigail Breslin finds herself succumbing by a terrifying disease that is sweeping the world . There is some very haunting , understated moments in this film which often feels more like a drama than an out and out horror and it's something of a revelation seeing Arnie in such an unusual role . I don't think he'll be up for Best Supporting Actor at next year's Oscars but it's good see him a film that cost a mere four million dollars which wouldn't get the average Hollywood star out of bed
It's not a flawless film of course . Hobson direction doesn't perhaps have the urgency the story perhaps needed more and means MAGGIE isn't as captivating as it should have been with a bit too much in the way of long pregnant silences . He's also a bit too reliant on close ups which becomes a little bit too noticeable very quickly . But despite these flaws for a movie costing four million dollars it's a fairly impressive feature length debut from a first time director