Why so much hype?

Sorry, this movie sucks

A Disappointing Continuation

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

First, they made scary zombie movies. Then came gore zombie movies. Next was comedy zombie movies, which many were unintentionally funny. I HAD to see the combo of drama zombie movie. And I am very sorry that I did. Some things just DO NOT and should not mix. Like you would not mix asphalt into a martini. The drama zombie flick just should not have been attempted. Sorry, Arnold. Even you could not save this one.

While this film does give more meaning to the life of a zombie before becoming one, it does it in a pale way; this movie is very boring to watch. I found it hard to just to keep myself awake while watching the film. If you're looking for an action film, or a film that keeps its pace up, you will be gravely disappointed.

Farmer Wade Vogel (a fine and affecting performance by Arnold Schwarzenegger) discovers that his teenage daughter Maggie (a touching and credible portrayal by Abigail Breslin) has been infected with a lethal virus that slowly transforms people into zombies. Wade decides to stay with Maggie to the bitter end knowing full well in advance that at some point he will have to make a difficult decision concerning Maggie's ultimate fate.Director Henry Hobson maintains a leisurely pace throughout and ably crafts a bleak and brooding somber tone rife with despair and melancholy about the unfortunate frailty and fleeting nature of basic human existence. John Scott 3's thoughtful and reflective script refreshingly eschews the usual formulaic end-of-the-world apocalyptic scenario in favor of offering instead a sad and subdued dramatic meditation on life, death, and mortality. Moreover, this film further works as a deeply moving ode to a father's unwavering love for and protective loyalty to his beloved daughter. Breslin and Schwarzenegger do sterling work in their demanding roles; they receive sturdy support from Joely Richardson as Maggie's distraught and frightened stepmother Caroline, Douglas M. Griffin as sympathetic sheriff Ray, J.D. Evermore as mean deputy Holt, Jodie Moore as the amiable and helpful Dr. Vern Kaplan, Bryce Romero as the doomed Trent, and Raedon Greer as Maggie's perky gal pal Allie. Lukas Ettlin's stark widescreen cinematography provides an appropriately grim and grayish look. David Wingo's moody score does the mournful trick. A quietly potent and heartrending film.

This script is OK at times - and I do give high praise for getting this film made. Look - I have no idea what went into the production of this story, but Maggie could have been an instant classic if they made two simple decisions: fix the incoherent premise and then have an ending where Arnold at least tries to save the day! The rules of this story are that a zombie apocalypse has taken place and if kids are bitten the local government allows their parents to take them home until the transformation happens. When the transformation happens, the parents must bring the kids to the quarantine area to be exterminated. Now - what kind of a government would realistically do this? But, for the sake of zombie-lore and dramatic tension let's say the government does allow this to happen. There is no cure. The kids they get bit. The kid will meet a tragic fate. Everyone is miserable. The end. I understand that the story is about loss and saying goodbye - but there was no conflict going on. Arnold did not try to find a cure. He barely fought to save his daughter. Arnold did not get aggressive. There are streaks of brilliance in the story - such as when Arnold sees a girl zombie and stares at the destruction his own family will soon endure. There is good acting, good cinematography - but the problem with the film is that the character's never change and there is no real conflict that drives the plot forward. Arnold should have fought to save his child - perhaps he falls short - but that is a story audiences can get behind. For a film to be a tragedy a character has to sow the seeds of their own destruction. Without that arc - than the movie is just a downer. Like watching someone get hit by a car. It's sad. But its' not tragic. This movie is sad - but it could have been a tragic masterpiece.