The Darkest Hour: Review By kiion

English speaking films, rarely venture into non english speaking countries. Not as the locations are not good, just because it does not generally become anything more than frustrating for the audience to witness cast speaking language that is not theirs. Russian characters, as such, should speak russian before changing mid conversation into english, it just doesn't work. It also seems extremely odd to have english conversations when all street signs, locations and any other plot device, written in the language that the movie is set within. This movie does this throughout, with only the constant annoyance being the reminder that it is there. However with 'The Darkest Hour' this is not the stupidest decision that the filmmakers made.

The script is written in a way that will infuriate most audiences. It never feels smooth, due to the fact that many convenient placed narrative shifters are present. At first these do not seem an issue, but by the end of the film, it will have settled in your mind, and will only lead to anger. Characters seem only to be ever introduced in scenarios that they are needed. These scenarios include; to move the plot on/complicate the plot line, to help the main cast with something stupid, or to perish in some way. The audience is never allowed cast members to become attached too.

This is not helped by a sloppy script and wooden acting throughout. Along with the numerous plot holes, that become more apparent as the movie goes on, in latter stages becoming ridiculous, (such as a main cast member falling in to water. Instead of swimming a few feet to safety, she decides to traverse over a mile into infested land). For these reasons this film becomes so bad that in some stages it borders on becoming unwatchable. It is because of a very slow beginning, an annoying middle and rushed finish, along with the other reasons stated, that this film just does not work. How the filmmakers believed this movie to be good enough for investment will cause disbelief to everyone.

A saving grace that this film has, is that if the special effects it uses in the first half. Whilst the aliens are invisible on earth, they do seem to pose a real threat. The effects work very well, and when the killings begin they are done in a shocking but startling manner, the team behind them obviously working long hours to make them all look special. However when they are no longer invisible, they then become so ridiculous that never can you see them as a threat of any type. They look more like a children's cartoon character than a monster. It is a shame as if the makers had decided to keep them always invisible it would have made the film a lot better.

It is also to be noted that the location team, and set design department should garner some recognition. Desolate Moscow locations are portrayed extremely well. With crashed boats, helicopters, and other debris throughout it is testament that their work is extremely good in a lacking film.

Is this film watchable? Yes. Should you watch it? No. With a destiny of continuous television runs and bargain bin prices, why waste the cost of an admission ticket. It is a shame however as the premise was very misleading.