Director: Miguel Angel Vivas
Writer: Miguel Angel Vivas, Alberto Marini (Screenplay) Juan de Dios Garduno (Novel)
Starring: Matthew Fox, Jeffrey Donovan, Quinn McColgan, Valeria Vereau, Clara Lago, Eduardo Fedriani
Plot: And suddenly, overnight, the world came to a halt. Two men, two survivors, one kid, and hatred that separates them. A place forgotten by everyone, including the creatures that inhabit the Earth… until now.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Impressive Horror
Story: Extinction starts as we follow two buses with military personal moving civilians before a sudden stop shows the enemy they are against, a blood thirsty creature almost vampire mixed with zombie. The attack leaves on Patrick (Fox), Jack (Donovan) and baby Lu belonging to one of them left alive.
Nine years later we find Patrick living opposite Jack on a none speaking terms while Jack is trying to raise his daughter Lu (McColgan) in a world with just the three of them alive. We don’t know what has happened between Jack and Patrick but that is the reason why they don’t talk. When Lu sees one of the creatures trying to get into the safety house the three learn they may not be alone anymore but the danger has returned and the two men have to put their difference behind them to protect Lu from the evil in the world.
Extinction is a film that could have gone down as something very routine but does something very different. We skip most of the aftermath of the attack and see something has happened between the men but only as the film unfolds we learn the truth. We also are left guessing which one is actually the father of Lu. The drama between the men does really help the story get driven because the horror is almost forgotten at times showing that the time the film is set person issue will need to be put aside when surviving is most important. I do think we have a few issues with character decisions but otherwise this is very engaging.
Actor Review
Matthew Fox: Patrick is one of the two me that have survived all these years and what seemed like they were friends soon shows they are actually enemies now. He lives in isolation but opposite Jack & Lu as we see him being the guy trying to communicate with anybody while being more adventures with his hunting. Matthew is good in this role where he almost plays three different characters through his character’s development in the film.
Jeffrey Donovan: Jack was once friends with Patrick but no enemies while Jack is trying to raise Lu in this empty world. He has a much more cautious approach compared to Patrick but not listening to Lu could be the downside of all of their safety. Jeffrey is good in this role where he does create a real tension between his character and Matthew’s.
Quinn McColgan: Lu is the daughter of Patrick who was only a baby when the attack happened where her mother died trying to save her. She is getting increasingly frustrated about not being allowed to leave the house but has to protectors in the world. Quinn is great in this role even if the character makes some bad decisions.
Support Cast: Extinction doesn’t have the biggest supporting cast but the few we do meet do a good job.
Director Review: Miguel Angel Vivas – Miguel does a great job with this film with a story that keeps us on edge for the whole journey.
Horror: Extinction uses the creatures to create the horror along with the idea that our world is gone from where we once knew it to be.
Sci-Fi: Extinction puts us into a post-apocalyptic world where we never fully know what caused it.
Settings: Extinction puts us into the setting where snow has taken over the world making everything look very bleak.
Special Effects: Extinction does have a few issues with the special effects as you could see the CGI very easily but I do think it will be to keep it in the comic book tone.
Suggestion: Extinction is one film that really surprised me so I will be suggesting it to everyone. (Watch)
Best Part: The Conflict between Patrick and Jack.
Worst Part: Certain moments make you wonder how they survived this long.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: Maybe in a couple of places.
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 52 Minutes
Tagline: They are the last
Trivia: They filmed in Budapest due to its snowy winter, but it turned out to be the first winter in over a decade with no snow at all.
Overall: Surprisingly emotional filled horror thriller.
Rating
