Other then THE STAND the most eagerly
anticipated film adaption is/was without a doubt THE MIST. The story
which was originally published in the excellent collection DARK
FORCES was an instant success and when the CD of an audio play hit,
well the mythos grew even larger. That audio CD was and still is
horror gold.
When the film adaptation was announced
my heart was filled with joy and when it was announced that Frank
Darabount would direct my anticipation grew by leaps and bounds. So,
now the DVD is set to be released and I can hardly contain myself.
THE MIST is a true throwback to the
films of my youth. A good old Creature Feature with all the chills
and thrills of a William Castle film with all the fun intact.
Granted this one has a much darker ending then most of those old time
treasures but he tone of the rest of the film is very much in that
vein. For those of you who live in a freakin cave let me fill you in
on a bit of the storyline.
David Drayton and his family live on a
lake in Maine. One summer day a more violent then normal storm
sweeps in and does a butt load of damage. The family is OK and David
decides to drive into town with his son to pick up some supplies.
The neighbor asks if he can ride along and the wife decides to stay
home to keep an eye on things.
On the way into the store they pass
some military type folks from the base on the other side of the lake,
the arrowhead project, an local mystery and the source of all kinds
of discussion and stories.
They get to the store and it is packed.
While strolling the isles with David and his son we meet the rest of
the principals in the story and then we meet the feature item, THE
MIST.
While in line to check out some
military boys on leave stroll in, they have about a half hour to kill
while they wait on a bus. Seems they have a 10 day leave. Not long
after they arrive a MP shows up and tells them they have been called
back to the base, some kind of situation. Leave canceled.
While this is going on the tornado
sirens start going off and panic begins to well. No one moves
though, everyone is just kind of frozen not sure what the hell is
going on. Then here comes a man, running down the street, bloody and
screaming “somethings in the mist”.
And oh yes, there is something in the
mist and the fun is about to start.
The remainder of the film is full of
monsters and mayhem and really becomes more of a character study in
how society just kind of falls apart when the shit hits the fan.
I won't ruin the viewing for you. The
secrets that lie inside are best discovered for yourself and are many
and delightful.
The point that you come away with by
viewing this film is that the monsters in the mist are nothing
compared to the ones that live next to you, shop with you and whom
you sometimes call your friends.
The disc set itself is worthy of
praise. It is a two disc collectors edition that features the
original theatrical version and then the usual slate of “making of”
and “behind the scenes” goodies that we have all come to expect
but the biggest treat, the reason to buy the disc is the black and
white version of the film that comes on Disc. 2.
It is a completely different film in
black and white. A better film. It is a shame that we couldn't have
been treated to this in theaters as it is by far a superior viewing
experience. I highly, highly, highly recommend this black and white
version of the film. It is a true classic and worthy of King's
vision of the story.
I applaud Darabont's vision and giving
us the chance to view the film in this way.
The ending is dark. No real happy
ending here but you know what, I applaud Darabont for that as well.
No “and they live happily ever after” this time around.
Darabont goes for the throat and succeeds. It is not a happy ending
but its one that you won't be able to stop thinking about for days.
THE MIST is available Tuesday March
25th.
