I wish more movies were as simple as this. Bad, world-ending thing happens, guy tries to make the most of the last hours. No worries. Obviously being straight-forward and to-the-point won't win any accolades but it's refreshing after all the heavy films in my recent rotation (Stalker, Oppenheimer, Snowtown). And although it's simple, the execution is on point.
What These Final Hours (2013) also has going for it is that it's shot in my hometown, Perth WA. Rare I see anything of this sort of quality in this setting, to be sure. Seeing skylines that I grew up with contrasted with the oncoming apocalypse and its sociological consequences, very fun.
However, this film is separated from other doomsday 8's and above because it lacks action (it's in need of a set piece maybe) and relies on the interpersonal drama of those trying to survive... which isn't bad per se but you need actors of a higher caliber if you hope to indulge in dramatic scenes. Constraints of a tight budget, methinks.
Definitely a strong 7 though, and a deep pocket pick when someone's already seen the Children of Mens and 28 Dayses etc etc.
P.S. For what it's worth, we do get a Sarah Snook cameo, Australian accent and all. She drugs a literal kid with what I assume is MDMA; absolutely wild.
Review by killip.seanBlockedParent2023-07-27T15:54:42Z
I wish more movies were as simple as this. Bad, world-ending thing happens, guy tries to make the most of the last hours. No worries.
Obviously being straight-forward and to-the-point won't win any accolades but it's refreshing after all the heavy films in my recent rotation (Stalker, Oppenheimer, Snowtown). And although it's simple, the execution is on point.
What These Final Hours (2013) also has going for it is that it's shot in my hometown, Perth WA. Rare I see anything of this sort of quality in this setting, to be sure. Seeing skylines that I grew up with contrasted with the oncoming apocalypse and its sociological consequences, very fun.
However, this film is separated from other doomsday 8's and above because it lacks action (it's in need of a set piece maybe) and relies on the interpersonal drama of those trying to survive... which isn't bad per se but you need actors of a higher caliber if you hope to indulge in dramatic scenes. Constraints of a tight budget, methinks.
Definitely a strong 7 though, and a deep pocket pick when someone's already seen the Children of Mens and 28 Dayses etc etc.
P.S. For what it's worth, we do get a Sarah Snook cameo, Australian accent and all. She drugs a literal kid with what I assume is MDMA; absolutely wild.