For the past 10 to 15 years there have been a number of post-apocalyptic movies related with mankind's extinction. Whether it's from zombies, biological viruses, or aliens, these type of movies must have two important attributes: action with horror or adventure, or a social commentary that allows the audience to fill the gaps or both. Unfortunately, this movie has none.
The story revolves on four unrelated survivors who one day find out that people have vanished from the face of the earth without explanation. As the days go by they find out the only way to survive is to have a source of light and stay out of the shadows. They all find refuge in a small bar ironically called "Sonny's Bar" which has electricity due to an emergency generator. The first 10-15 minutes are pretty good and build the atmosphere but nothing much happens after. The problem with this film is that there's absolutely no explanation of what is happening or if the shadows are demons or aliens. There are some mild religious references but not enough to support the origin of this mysterious entity. The other problem is that, if the movie is not going to explain what is going on, it should have focused on the characters development, which is virtually unexciting. The characters focus more on how to keep the generator on, which it made sense but there's no conflict between them. There's no social commentary or any other type of subtext that would of have made it more memorable. It kind of leaves you with many unanswered questions like, is there are reason for this to take place at 7th Street? Are these spirits and why are they vanishing mankind? Is this movie an analogy to our present social issues? Etc. the only thing that was given in the film was when, Leguizamo character Paul, mentioned that he believed this was like when a computer reboots and earth was erasing its inhabitants to start over, but the question still remained! Why??
I have to admit that I did enjoy it to a certain extent but it is an easily forgettable movie experience. I just read that this film was a total flop at the box office making only 15% out of its production cost. Anyways, I recommend this as a rental.
The story revolves on four unrelated survivors who one day find out that people have vanished from the face of the earth without explanation. As the days go by they find out the only way to survive is to have a source of light and stay out of the shadows. They all find refuge in a small bar ironically called "Sonny's Bar" which has electricity due to an emergency generator. The first 10-15 minutes are pretty good and build the atmosphere but nothing much happens after. The problem with this film is that there's absolutely no explanation of what is happening or if the shadows are demons or aliens. There are some mild religious references but not enough to support the origin of this mysterious entity. The other problem is that, if the movie is not going to explain what is going on, it should have focused on the characters development, which is virtually unexciting. The characters focus more on how to keep the generator on, which it made sense but there's no conflict between them. There's no social commentary or any other type of subtext that would of have made it more memorable. It kind of leaves you with many unanswered questions like, is there are reason for this to take place at 7th Street? Are these spirits and why are they vanishing mankind? Is this movie an analogy to our present social issues? Etc. the only thing that was given in the film was when, Leguizamo character Paul, mentioned that he believed this was like when a computer reboots and earth was erasing its inhabitants to start over, but the question still remained! Why??
I have to admit that I did enjoy it to a certain extent but it is an easily forgettable movie experience. I just read that this film was a total flop at the box office making only 15% out of its production cost. Anyways, I recommend this as a rental.