Mutants

Usually while I watch movies I’m browsing the net, drinking, talking on the phone or being otherwise preoccupied in some way; however, when a movie grabs me the way David Morlet’s ‘Mutants’ did, I tend to stop what I’m doing and place all my attention on the screen.

While I realize that the concept of flesh eaters is old; it’s a classic. Don’t neglect a new (2009) movie based on the fact that the basis of it has been done before. Never forget that some things are cliché for a reason, and an infected person hell-bent on munching their buddies is something that never gets old.

The cinematography is 50/50; there’s nothing better than a movie with cold, crisp colouring and ‘spy-vision’ camera angles to suck you in. Although, the first-person moments really add some shock value when dealing with injured characters and violent bloody spasms, they get a little dizzying and annoying when shot from a distance. It almost seems as though the cameraman had one too many double espressos.

The cast itself is fucking brilliant! I loved the acting; it’s realistic and panic-stricken, even during calmer moments. Inner conflicts come out beautifully rational and fear seems real. Not to mention that vomiting actually looks like vomiting, suicide is an option and the process of going from human to mutant is the best I’ve seen in a long time.

While other movies with similar transformations happen quickly to build excitement and get your blood (as well as the victims’) flowing, ‘Mutants’ manages to build and maintain a level of discomfort while watching the lengthy transformation; think of how you would feel as you’re becoming the very thing you’re running from. Not only does it look painful, but quite psychologically damaging, too. Plus pulling out my own teeth is something that always made me uncomfortable, anyway.

I’m not exactly a fan of the creatures after the transformation; I think their look could have used some polishing and the noises they make are far too animalistic for my liking. When they get on the move, they remind me quite heavily of the ‘28 Days Later’ monsters and while that might not be a bad thing, I think given the talented actors, some variations in the mannerisms could have been easily accomplished.

‘Mutants’ is going in my rewatch pile and I’ll be suckering anyone I can into watching it with me; it’s a fun take on a horror tradition.

Side note from Chris:
“That shot would have taken out like three of them, if that’s a shotgun!”