The Mist DVD Review by Michael Szul

Stephen King movies are always touch and go. You could end up with a good one, or you could end up with a bad one. The problem is that King's name is golden when it comes to revenue. His name can sell enough tickets to make a B-rate, straight-to-dvd horror movie into a theatrical release with modest success. His name can mean the difference of millions, so many companies buy up the rights to his books and stories to see that difference.

The Mist had the makings of a good Stephen King horror movie. It was creepy. It was suspenseful. It had great characterization. Thomas Jane was the perfect lead and his personality clashed well with Andre Braugher. And of course, Marcia Gay Harden did a great job playing the religious zealot.

Though a bit gruesome in parts, the Mist did a great job of not going over the top, like some horror movies do - confusing gore for horror. The entire movie - though it ran a bit long - was highly enjoyable and played out well... until the end.

Now I'm always open to twist endings and shocks, but this ending - which wasn't even in the novel - was a bit too over the top.

Spoilers are below, so be warned.

First, the ending was a bit out of character. The four remaining adults that the movie followed RISKED their lives to leave the supermarket. They braved the outside mist and the creatures within it. They braved driving around looking for David Drayton's (Thomas Jane) wife. Then, they braved driving South. What happens when they run out of gas? Drayton shoots everyone, including his son. Then he leaves the car hoping to be killed by a creature, only to discover that they were on the edge of the mist and - subsequently - rescue.

Why not try to find another car when you realize you're low on gas? Or try to find a place to hide in a building? Or how about just waiting in the car a little to see if someone passes by, or if rescue comes, or if the mist clears? I understand the despair of the situation, but these characters have proven themselves to be stronger than those that committed suicide. Was the ending shocking? Yes. Was it warranted? No. Was it out of place? Yes. And in retrospect, the ending was only shocking BECAUSE of how out of character it was. Period.

Frank Darabont should stick to original endings for now on.