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Human nature can be more terrifying than anything lurking under your bed or tucked away in your closet. You put normal, everyday people in a stressful
environment and you have the opportunity to see the worst in mankind. Stephen King has always been the master of that perspective look into human
life. He has a way of using the scary creatures as a springboard for the real terror. How we react. The new film The Mist follows the mold that King
forged in his 1985 short story of the same name. Director and screenplay writer Frank Darabont was able to stay pretty true to the original, which is
always a wise choice.

As a thick fog rolls through a small town the inhabitants discover that death itself is concealed in the mist. When the creatures start making themselves known death seems a welcomed relief. Holed up in a grocery store a handful of towns people must learn to survive each other as much as what threatens from outside. The character traits aren't unique, but it is their actions that drive the story. Almost like animation. They take a person and
exaggerate their defining characteristics to a heightened point. The outcome is personified horror.

This film has the elements to please most thriller horror fans but may be over the top for those who are squeamish and like their terror clean and tidy. The "creatures" are apocalyptic in design and a nice change to the normal fare. Again I think the story line is what makes this a decent film since there is only so much you can do with things that go bump in the night. Is this on the level with The Shining, Carrie or any of the earlier King classics? Not even close. But it is a well made film for the genre. 

The Mist is rated R for violence, terror and gore, and language. This is not a film for those of soft eyes and ears. It is visually graphic and at times
verbally and physically violent. The language too is very adult in nature. Unless you live in Tucumcari, NM and that is your only choice, there are way
better options for your Holiday viewing and you are better off choosing something for the whole family. I give it 3 out of 5. One, because Stephen
King is the master and I like that the movie played and felt like a King book reads. Two, the ending is unforgettable. 

Matt Mungle (matt@mungleshow.com)(11/19/07)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and co-hosts a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies, with his wife Cindy.
For additional reviews, interview clips and great DVD giveaways, visit the website www.mungleshow.com"

Review copyright 2007 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.