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The Midnight Meat Train
Based on the short story by Liverpudllian horror maestro Clive Barker, Midnight Meat Train is another in the growing list of his films that seem to hit post-production problems before their initial release -- Nightbreed was re-edited by the studio, upcoming Hellraiser projects stalled, Lord Of Illusions being dumped to video.
Midnight Meat Train (MMT) was all set for a big theatrical release in the US under genre studio Lionsgate (the studio that brought you Hostel and the Saw films). Positive test screenings and internet buzz signaled a sleeper horror hit. But, for reasons later revealed by Barker himself involving changing of staff and rivalries it had with another Lionsgate film, MMT was thrown into a few theatres before its eventual DVD release causing an outcry of internet fanboys to petition the film have a wider released.
Opening theatrically over here in the UK, Midnight Meat Train is bound to be a gleeful surprise for horror hungry filmgoers who like their horror super stylish and gory as hell.
The story has all the trademarks of a Clive Barker story -- Photographer Leon Kauffman (Bradley Cooper) seeks to find "powerful images" to photograph to be able to have his work shown at a high class art gallery owned by Susan Hoff (Brooke Shields). Prowling the New York City streets (Canada filling in obviously) Leon stumbles to the Subway where he saves a girl from a group of thugs. He discovers the girl has been reported missing which leads him to search the New York subway discovering clues and questions as he goes. Before long, obsession begins to overrun his life as he discovers what really happens on board the midnight train.
The fact the film was dumped in the states I was trying to find things that might stand out to give that reason to get canned to DVD. The 1st thing usually is the level of acting. When you see the fact Vinnie Jones (or maybe Brooke Shields depending on how old you are) is the only star name, you begin to ask questions.
But funny enough the small cast is actually very capable and also very engaging. I've never heard of Bradley Cooper to be fair but he carries the film well in the lead role. He's got a laid back look that reminds me of Peter (Jarhead) Sarsgaard and portrays the characters steady decline into obsession very well without being over the top or unbelievable which works well for the final act. Being that he's in almost every scene in the film he has a good screen presence and delivers a performance that stands up to most leading men in Hollywood and It'd be nice to see him in other things in the future.
Leslie Bibb who plays Leon's neglected girlfriend holds her own well as the woman who tries to do everything not to lose her boyfriend and is drawn into what Leon gets involved with. The two are a likeable couple and the film spends a fair amount of time developing their relationship which helps the tension when the characters are in peril later in the film, you connect with them to care but nothing to feel anything with any emotional depth.
Vinnie Jones just plays....Vinnie Jones surprising enough. He's seems to have beefed up a fair bit (or it could be a muscle suit) but he gets work down to his screen presence which he does have, and when he smashing up victims skulls you believe he's capable of doing this easily.
The acting is above average and surprising in places as they carry a script (by Jeff Buhler) that is tight and well written without being outstanding. Characters are developed well and set-pieces are set up with skill to delivery some inventive action.
This is the first US film by Japanese action director Ryuhei Kitamura whose cult films Azumi and Versus brought him international acclaim in action circles. Being a veteran of 15 feature films, Kitamura delivers a high technical standard and bang for its limited budget buck.
The film is beautifully stylish, well composed and lit by Jonathan Sela (Max Payne, The Omen remake), and the two know how to make something look "cinematic". Everything from the Ridley Scott-esque smoky interiors to the cold sleek metal coldness of the subway scenes, the film is good eye candy without ever being excessive.
Kitamura also delivers some memorable shots and techniques with his eye-opening actions/death scenes -- get ready for a fight scene inside a train shot like you've never seen before and a tense apartment scene that almost out does Spielberg's similar sequence in Minority Report -- there are surprises galore without being over exposed with music video editing.
But this is also the films downfall. While the "horror" of the film is memorably and stylishly shot/executed (each kill wont leave the memory in a hurry) they are arguably also too stylish and almost borderline comical. With a cartoon-like nature too them, when stalker Mahogany (Vinnie Jones) delivers his wrath with his trusty tenderiser, heads splat, eyeballs pop, and blood gushes like someone left the hose pipe on, all aided by CGI blood, edits and pull backs that really take the shine from the horror. There are a few moments of CG-free gritty gnarlyness but Kitamura seems to try and find something new and original with the style of the death scenes he forgets that the simple the kills are shown, the more effective they are. Tension is built well but the pay offs are always OTT and sometimes silly when they really could work better by being raw and gritty.
Other faults that didn't settle right with the film comes down to the "reasons" behind these murders and the "things" that are behind it. The film is straight in and out with its explanation leading to its dark ending. This is by no means least a bad thing but you do feel that with a bigger budget a journey "into hell" is something that could've delivered what the film strives and builds for.
The music score by Johannes Kiblike and Robb Williamson is also hit and miss. The score is electric and encompasses an 80's feel and sometimes it works very well like in the final 20minutes but other times it feels too experimental, too low key and a little cheap.
These flaws are just hang-ups to poke holes in what is a rock solid, super stylish horror film with many memorable moments that elevate from mediocrity. It is by no means be the greatest or best horror you'll see all year, but its far better crafted and executed than anything like you Hostel's or Saw movies thrown at you every Halloween. Don't let the fact Vinnie Jones is the only recognisable name in it either, the film is 90minutes of entertaining horror that has plenty of gore and tense filled sequences for Halloween night.
3/5
Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones
Dir: Ryuhei Kitamura
97mins 40 secs
Released: 31/10/2008
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