The Mist

[Jakester]

This movie pulls no punches. It is disturbing and bleak. Good lord. By the end of the movie, I was squirming in my seat, and, although you can predict the very end, you're never really sure if that's what's going to happen or not.

Darabont proves, once again, that he is the man with King adaptations (although 1408 was very good).

[omicron]

I want to see this, because I LOVED the story. Although it's been years since I read it, and from what I've seen from the trailers, I am not sure if I like the army part. I am going to have to see it and see how much it matches up with what I remember about the story.

[Jakester]

I haven't read the King story yet, which is a strange thing for me.
I know this movie didn't work for some people, but it worked for me. It is very disturbing, and is something I'm not eager to see again -- and in that regard, Darabont did his job extremely well.
I sort of felt the same way about Black Hawk Down. Getting through that movie felt very harrowing, and although I wasn't disappointed by it or anything, it wasn't a movie I wanted to see again any time soon. It was effective, and works such as "like" and "enjoy" don't really seem to be appropriate.

[DarkJedi]

Definitely can't wait to see this film.

[KingVoyeur]

I was very excited about this film because it's one of my favorite (if not my favorite) Stephen King short stories, and I wasn't let down. This is probably one of the best King adaptations done in a long time (it's directed by Darabont). It's a great look at how humanity reacts when stuck together for an extended period of time under some kind of threat, both from without and within. The creatures were creepy (I HATE spiders!), the characters were well-drawn and the film had a very eerie, claustrophobic feel to it.

I did have a few dislikes (and one giant holy-crap-that-pissed-me-off moment). Some of the characters did start out on a high note and didn't really have anywhere go from there. Harden's Crazy Christian was good, but it would've been nice if she had started out at a lower key and then got more and more wound up, taking other characters with her. The music was good, but what was up with the vocals when they were leaving in Drayton's truck? It just seemed out of place, kind of took me out of the film a little.

The one thing I absolutely hated was the ending. The rest of the film had been so well-done and true to the source and then we get punched in the gut. I don't mind at all that they changed the ending (the ending of the short story was pretty open to change), but the fact that it was such an "F.U." to the characters and the audience upset me.

Overall, I think it's a good film and I'd recommend it to people. Very disturbing pot-boiler with great monsters to boot. I gave it an 8 (would've given it a 9 if it had had a different ending, maybe there'll be multiple endings on the DVD). On a side-note, did anyone else catch that Drayton was painting a poster for The Dark Tower at the very beginning?

[mckracken]

not surprising that the ending would be a let down, most King movie adaptations are (Stand, IT, Langoliers and more) but I'm surprised because its Frank Darabont and he is a really talented director.

the primary problem with multiple endings on a DVD King is that they were ditched for A REASON... IE: they are far worse endings than what the director ended up using. Just look at the extra dvd endings for Steven King's 1408 and thats proof enough they went with the right ending in theaters. (In fact I didnt care to see the 2 extra endings because they were stupid.)

I went to catch an 11:30am showing of the Mist today and guess what? apparantly they dont even start showing it till 1:25pm... rats. (I work at 4pm) Grrr..
and yes kick those little kids out of the theater.

[Jakester]

The ending is perfect for the movie. It is completely horrible and disturbing. I didn't dislike the ending, but it's really hard to say that you could "like" that ending either.

WIth 1408, the alternate ending is the original one, but test audiences thought it was a downer, so it was re-shot. I like both versions, actually.

[mckracken]

WHICH 1408 alternate ending was the original ending?

the one where John Cusack's character dies in the hotel fire?
it would have been ok if his agent wasnt played by Tony Shaloob (Monk), thats why I didnt like it.

or the other one (#2) was a variant on the ending that they used,

the wife doesnt hear the voice of the daughter on the recorder.

[Jakester]

The first one was the one that was originally intended.
I didn't know about that variant. I don't like that at all.

[mckracken]

yeah that variant is on the blockbuster exclusive DVD (which I assume was also on the two disk version) Blockbuster, for all their hype about having "an exclusive",all it is, is the theatrical version with the two endings and the short documentary.

let me clarify the variant ending:
the wife is in the kitchen when John Cusack plays the tape recorder. She goes about her business of putting the groceries away, oblivious that her husband is at the desk playing the tape recorder that was found in the debris....

I didnt want you to think that she hear her husband talking on the tape but was physically unable to hear the daughters voice on the tape.

I heard tonight that the two disk version has another, more trippy, ending... they described it to Jacob's Ladder but I havent seen it yet so I dunno.

[chemikillgod]

The one thing I absolutely hated was the ending. The rest of the film had been so well-done and true to the source and then we get punched in the gut. I don't mind at all that they changed the ending (the ending of the short story was pretty open to change), but the fact that it was such an "F.U." to the characters and the audience upset me.

So Why do you think its an FU to the characters and the audience?

Although I think I would have rather it ended right on the cusp when the first tank appeared, instead of letting it go on like that.

[KingVoyeur]

I think it's an FU because all that fighting and dying they did to escape from the store was worthless, it completely invalidated their struggle. If they had just sat tight they would've been fine. Once Crazy Christian was gone the people probably would've calmed down a bit without her stoking the fire (figuratively and literally).

In the short story they got away from the store, the mist remained, but they still had hope. I don't care how they would've ended the film as long as they retained that sense of even though the world has gone to hell, there's still a sliver hope to keep the characters we've come to know and care about alive. The way they ended the film, there was absolutely nothing for Drayton to live for, so yeah, I thought it was a bit of an FU.

[chemikillgod]

I think it's an FU because all that fighting and dying they did to escape from the store was worthless, it completely invalidated their struggle. If they had just sat tight they would've been fine. Once Crazy Christian was gone the people probably would've calmed down a bit without her stoking the fire (figuratively and literally).

But, to me, that's the beauty of it because, yes, it does invalidate the struggle. They didn't know if there was anything out there or how other people were reacting outside of their bubble. It reminds me of the movie The Trigger Effect when people started freaking out because of rumors that there was widespread chaos or the twilight zone episode where the aliens had everyone suspicious of each other in their own neighborhood. Of course if everyone was rational it would have turned out that way but the fact is everyone IS suspicious of each other and the fear of the unknown makes people do crazy things whether it is to foment religious revivalism or try to escape it and figure out 'what's going on'. If we knew exactly what was going to happen then we wouldn't be so irrational in our actions so I think it's perfect keeping in line with the story.

[mckracken]

wow, now I totally see what the fuss is all about, this movies ending shook me to the core and not in a good way either... its very shocking and disturbing.

one weird thing I noticed though, the tentacles they encountered in the stockroom of the grocery store.... um.....were these the same creatures that were in 1998's DEEP RISING? It sure looked like it. I thought the CGI effects had improved a bit in TEN FRIGGIN YEARS but apparantly they have not. (not that the CGI was bad in The Mist, not at all.... its just that you can really tell theres been very little evolution in digital effected slimy tentacle creature type things in over ten years.)

[chemikillgod]

one weird thing I noticed though, the tentacles they encountered in the stockroom of the grocery store.... um.....were these the same creatures that were in 1998's DEEP RISING? It sure looked like it. I thought the CGI effects had improved a bit in TEN FRIGGIN YEARS but apparantly they have not. (not that the CGI was bad in The Mist, not at all.... its just that you can really tell theres been very little evolution in digital effected slimy tentacle creature type things in over ten years.)

Honestly, if I really thought about it, some of the effects WERE lacking but the fact was I was so involved in the story that it didn't really bother me as much as if I was coming in JUST to gawk at a special effects extravaganza. I liked the ones where the giant monsters were cloaked in the Mist like the crab thing that got Ollie and the giant six legged thing that walked over their car when they left.

[mckracken]

I have been wondering for quite some time why all the effects animators strive for 100% total realism in their fantasy creatures yet fur and hair continues to be intentionally omitted??? Look at some of the past effects creatures in Starship Troopers, Star Wars, Deep Rising, The Mist, Underworld, Grendel in Beowolf and other movies that use 100% CGI characters and creatures, freaquently they use hairless creatures instead of pushing the envelope and the borders of technology.

They would rather go for the smooth and slimey tentacled look than have fur covered torsos for their aliens, bugs and insects.

its not "cheap" CGI its just not pushing the envelope either.

[livewiremaxx]

The movie was good, kept you on edge.. but I have to agree the ending was Whacked. Thats the word I used when I walked out "That was just Wacked" I think there should have been a bit more on the survival or even left it open for interpretation. You always want some kind of hope especially when children are a character.

[mckracken]

if I directed The Mist I probably would have:
hypothetical loaded the remaining four bullets into the gun, taken it and left the three people behind in the car and quietly left for a gasoline and or ammo attempt...when it comes right down to it, its a matter of survival. it still ends with every man for himself. if the first man didnt return with help, the next man would take up the HERO monicker and venture out into the Mist alone....hopefully man #2 would find the gun from man #1

I dunno if thats any better resolution than what was filmed.

[Strider]

Holy crap that ending was depressing. You don't see that in Hollywood movies very often.

I thought the movie was great, but there is no way that the characters would have done that. They would have done something more like:

Instead of "let's drive as far as we can on a tank of gas and see if we get out of the mist", they would/should have said "let's drive to this gas station I know and keep going. When we get low on gas, we'll look for another station and keep going again."

[KingVoyeur]

That would've worked, or they could've just kept switching cars like they did in the short story.

[mckracken]

it looked to me like al the other cars were wrecked though. Plus they showed the bus with the cocooned body in it,...and Thomas Jane's house was a Spiders nest too, its not like they could have just jumped into any car and drove off.

I suppose in that type of environment, you just never know what might be living inside any random car that you find not to mention that you want to find one with more gas than the vehicle you're driving...AND you have to have vehicle keys.

[Gentlemen Death]

Alright, I just got back from seeing this and I will agree with Jakester, this movie certainly holds no punches.

I have not read the short story so I can not say how the movie was as opposed to the story. But I found this movie kind of disturbing...I am not sure why but between the religoius freaks and the crazy ass monsters it was just a weird movie.

Good, though. It was a powerful movie. I hear some complaints about the acting but I was so focused around the enviroment and situations that they were in to really stop and look at someones facial expression when they cry..

(SPOILERS)
The ending...Crazy! I knew that SOMTHING was going to happen but was not expecting something quite like that...The only problem I had with it was that they ran out of gas and immediatley decided to off themselves...Wouldnt you just wait maybe a day or two JUST to make sure?....I guess I would not know, but I sat there and was pondering this when they all started to give themselves...that look!...

Daranbont has proved himself again with this movie. I would not go as far as to call it THE BEST King movie, but damn close.

I gave it a 8 out of 10

[mckracken]

we also dont know how far away from the FoodMart they actually got or what ELSE they saw. Only what they showed us was the big six legged thing, the house and the bus with the body in it.... things could have turned bad after they left the Drayton residence, plus I think Drayton was a little less rational after seeing his wife like that.

that shot of his wife would make anybody lose it.

[Gentlemen Death]

we also dont know how far away from the FoodMart they actually got or what ELSE they saw. Only what they showed us was the big six legged thing, the house and the bus with the body in it.... things could have turned bad after they left the Drayton residence, plus I think Drayton was a little less rational after seeing his wife like that.

that shot of his wife would make anybody lose it.

Honestly that shot of the big ass creature, was on of the best shots of the movie...When they showed the scale of that thing you really felt like everything is over...and the world has ended...God knows what else could have been out there that we did not see..

I thought the creatures themselves were not all that...creepy. The ones I did find creepy were the spiders...Those things were fucking crazy! Those ones, the tenticles which took Norman and the big ass creature were my favorites...Quick question: The Big Ass creature looked to have had tenticles under its belly....Could those have been the ones that grabbed Norman? :headscratch:

[Jakester]

That no one made any attempt to get more gas was pretty weird. Also, I agree that the lack of any real wait time before the bang was pretty strange, although, yes, seeing that giant thing walking over the car would be a pretty good instiller of hopelessness.

Eeesh.

[mckracken]

Quick question: The Big Ass creature looked to have had tenticles under its belly....Could those have been the ones that grabbed Norman? :headscratch:

it could have been, It might also have been any number of things, or the creatures might have been fighting between themselves when they were banging on the roll up door. It didnt look like the creatures were deliberatly TRYING to get into the store to eat the people, it just happened that the creatures were curious (remember the tentacle ripped open the bag of dogfood?)

my theory was that the Arrowhead project had dumped an intergalactic zoo into our world and perhaps the mist itself was a version of our zoo cages? as it spread out into a larger area, the creatures escaped but they were still confined to the mist.

also, did the creatures die off after the mist had evaporated?

[Gentlemen Death]

Good question: Umm...It looked like the troopers were getting all of them so I am not sure. There were however those little flying fucks near the eggsack that was being torched by a trooper....and there really was not any mist around...So, I guess that would be a question to ask the director! :lol:

[chemikillgod]

Good question: Umm...It looked like the troopers were getting all of them so I am not sure. There were however those little flying fucks near the eggsack that was being torched by a trooper....and there really was not any mist around...So, I guess that would be a question to ask the director! :lol:

That's actually what annoyed me most about the ending, the fact the it seemed like they were making some headway with eliminating the mist and all the creatures with, what, a couple of flamethrowers? You can't fight things that you can barely see out especially if you barely know what you're dealing with in an environment that houses a vast collection of different creatures. Makes no sense to me especially if there's huge fucking things lumbering about that couldn't be taken out by jets or tanks if you can't fly the plane through the mist. It's Independence Day computer virus all over again.

I suppose you have to ask, does the mist bring the creatures or do the creatures bring the mist?

My theory is just that the Mist is merely a physical representation of the dimension that these creatures belong to. Maybe in their dimension there is no such mist, but when it bleeds into our world it becomes a mist.

[mckracken]

I assumed it was zoo cages or just their planets regular atmosphere.

one thing that bothered me was the mist appeared harmless to humans, yet the military was still wearing gas masks and breathers, while the humans they rounded up were not?

those military trucks had less protection than the car Drayton was driving, those people were nowhere near safe.

[Gentlemen Death]

I assumed it was zoo cages or just their planets regular atmosphere.

one thing that bothered me was the mist appeared harmless to humans, yet the military was still wearing gas masks and breathers, while the humans they rounded up were not?

those military trucks had less protection than the car Drayton was driving, those people were nowhere near safe.

I wanted to know two things: How did that mother make it back to her kids with no problem...And what happened to the people who were led off by the lawyer dude...:headscratch: .... I mean we assume they died, but do not know that for sure.

[mckracken]

they never showed the mother again did they??????
did I miss something? where was she shown again? (alive or dead) she trucked off all by herself never to be seen or heard from again.......... hat she left the baby with the 8 year old really sucked... people do that though, it was totally believable.

no they didnt show the group that headed off with the Lawyer (drayton's neighbor) except for the one guy with the rope tied to his lower half pulled a Darth Maul... that dude was included in the Lawyer group

[Gentlemen Death]

Yes, at the end she was in the back of one of those trucks with her two children. They showed a brief glimpse of her looking at Drayton.

[mckracken]

wUNvKWr1mvQ

these people are just flat out retarded... I'm sorry but when the guy thinks he's the hsit by saying "what people want is blood and guts like... SAW II" or nakedgirl saying "who scored this flick? it needs to be like (starts squeaking away on the violin)"
todays kida dont know jack shit, I really feel bad for them.

[Gentlemen Death]

wUNvKWr1mvQ

these people are just flat out retarded... I'm sorry but when the guy thinks he's the hsit by saying "what people want is blood and guts like... SAW II" or nakedgirl saying "who scored this flick? it needs to be like (starts squeaking away on the violin)"
todays kida dont know jack shit, I really feel bad for them.

Those people are fucking dorks...:lol:

[Jakester]

The brutha was the only one who got the movie. It's a horror movie, but not because of the monsters. They're incidental to the horror created by how people react when society breaks down and when people lose hope. The people in the car lost hope which played out with terrible finality, but salvation was literally minutes away.

Nakedgirl should keep her mouth shut and take a few steps away from the webcam because her naked body would certainly be more interesting than anything she said in her review.

[TrekSucksHard]

The ending is not typical Hollywood and my hat's off to Darabont for trying to be different- it was unexpected to say the least and in my view nearly saves the movie- for most of the time it runs a tad bit too long imo. Although I felt that Thomas Janes' lead character kind of changed at the ending when he didn't bother to look for fuel for his car- he seemed to be determined and resourceful all the way till that point- that was the letdown for me.

The monsters and the situation about the mist reminds me of Halflife (the PC game), anyone who has battled monster antlions with a crowbar knows what I'm talking about. :D

[pOpEyE]

LOOOVED the movie till the ending.

Nowhere in this film did it give the hint that any of the characters would ever give up. As a matter of fact they were the type to fight till their last dying breath. And just because a vehicle runs out of gas, well I'm sorry but that's not a good enough reason to off your kid and your 3 friends. The kid never even had a say in it. They should have made it out to safety and the store that they left behind, should have ended up being monster food.

[Jakester]

Well, the kid did ask Daddy Punisher to not let the bugs get him, and I think he was implying that action in the asking. Still, it did seem like they acted upon it very quickly.

[pOpEyE]

Yeah but to me that is only something a kid would naturally say. As in he doesn't want to die.

I also didn't like the fact they never showed what happened to the doubting black dude. We just have to assume he died out there with the other guy who got his torso ripped in half.