FilmSnobReviews

Title: Maggie
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Henry Hobson
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardson
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

What It Is: In the near furture an outbreak has over taken America and that includes the small unnamed town inhabited by Wade Vogel (Schwarzenegger) and his family. When his oldest daughter from his now deceased first wife Maggie (Breslin) wanders off for a few days. Upon her return she has been bitten by an infected person. Now Wade has two choicesto wait it out and then eventually turn her in to “quarantine” or lie and try to keep her alive and happy until she is no longer human. Obviously Wade loves his daughter whom is the last legacy of his previous marriage, he also understands what’s expected of him in this society.

What We Think: Arnie is the best he’s been in years. Unfortunately the movie drags its feet throughout. Abigail Breslin continues to put on good performances. Nonetheless the pacing drags a bit much, and seems to stay methodical. This adversely affected my enjoyment of the film, and left me feeling really bored. Joely Richardson seems to over cooking it to an annoying degree. It’s snail pacing totally hurts this thing and you almost don’t care.

Our Grade: C+, It’s a unique spin on the zombie premise however at this point there aren’t enough ways to reinvent the wheel with zombies. Inparticular there’s nothing here of note besides the performances of Breslin and Schwarzenegger. Why doesn’t Arnie do more of this, it’s far better then some of the other fair he’s been in since his supposed come back. This is more Last Stand (which I liked) and less Escape Plan. Breslin will hopefully keep on making good films. I even liked that Halle Berry film The Call which is pretty good. Either way unless you’re in to zombies movies that aren’t really gory this is one you can live without.