Day Shift

A rather shaky B-movie, where the pretty poor screenplay is saved by lively action and some great ideas. Foxx is enjoying himself, but that’s about it; the role of a pool cleaner is terribly hackneyed. Even Dave Franco has more interesting character development (stops peeing himself). Just another lukewarm offering from Netflix. One of the few things that I liked were the Hawaiian shirts. (09/15/2022)

I was quite looking forward to Day Shift, but after watching it, I have to admit my mild disappointment. Let’s break it down in detail... Jamie Foxx is perfect in the lead role, and the film really builds around his charisma; he can portray those badass characters in a thoroughly convincing way. However, what bothered me was Dave Franco's character. Why insert a supposedly comedic figure everywhere? The film doesn’t need to be pure comedy, and the jokes often didn’t even bring a smile, more like a slight cringe. The story doesn’t offer much in terms of originality (a family abduction is one of the most clichéd plots ever), though there are a few innovative elements (like trading vampire teeth). What thankfully saves the film and pushes it to three stars is the fight choreography. I really enjoyed that, and the audience also gets a decent amount of blood (Scott Adkins' cameo was a nice touch). All in all, it serves as an entertaining diversion for an afternoon. But as a film with a $100 million budget and higher ambitions, I view the result more negatively. Netflix has been dreadfully stagnant in the film arena lately. For me, it’s a 6/10. (08/16/2022)

Welcome to the motherfuckin’ Night Shift! JJ Perry made a dream debut, the best Netflix blockbuster and the best vampire movie in a decade or so at least. Fucking awesome carnage! I've never seen so many heads blown off and limbs ripped off in my life, the absolute pinnacle of bliss and satisfaction. John Wick crossed with Zombieland in a buddy comedy with insanely brutal and well shot action and a very cool imaginary world with vampires. Jamie Foxx is an incredible badass and likeable (quite possibly his best role ever). Dave Franco is also good as the weepy side-kick from the office, and Snoop Dogg, well he just stole the finale for himself – a black cowboy with a rotisserie and a cigar – stylish as fuck. Day Shift has an interesting and intelligently devised world with vampires where cool rules work. There's a bunch of innovative and effective ideas to disable the vampires, and I liked the trading of their teeth. I was also thrilled with the frantic cadence of wisecracks, it's an incredible melee, they should be carved in stone, I was rolling on the floor laughing, and the action is incredibly brutal, intense, choreographed with a lot of ideas and tons of honest to goodness gore. I will remember some of those fatalities, combos and kilts till my grave! There is also a good cameo by Adkins, literally kicking heads! I didn't mind anything at all, for me, this is an instant cult classic. Freakin’ Loved that shit. Works every time. Story 4/5, Humour 5/5, Violence 5/5, Fun 5/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 4/5, Atmosphere 4/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 3/5, Actors 5/5. 9/10 (08/12/2022)