Maggie : Movie Review


Maggie (2015) - Movie PosterArnold Schwarzenegger (2014's "Sabotage") has been receiving a number of warm notices for his performance in "Maggie," a grim father-daughter story that marks, believe it or not, one of the first non-action-oriented dramatic roles of his career. He is competent in the part, but not outstanding; the film, directed by Henry Hobson and written by John Scott 3 (both first-timers), doesn't provide the breadth of material to allow him to build a fully realized three-dimensional character. Better, if still restricted by a script that is far too stodgy and restrained, is Abigail Breslin (2013's "August: Osage County") as the eponymous Maggie, a teenage girl facing a terrifying fate. The picture hinges on their relationship as well as the reality of the unthinkable situation they face, but both aspects are only cursorily explored.

It has been several months since the start of the so-called necroambulist virus. The resulting outbreak, transforming the infected into cannibalistic zombies in just six to eight weeks' time, has turned the world upside down. With no known cure in sight, society has struggled to move forward even as this rotten illness has affected the lives of all. Quarantine areas have been set up for those in the final stages of what has been coined "the turn," but some medical professionals know all too well that it might be easier and less painful if families deal with their infected loved ones themselves. It is this horrific predicament that Wade (Arnold Schwarzenegger) must come to terms with when his daughter, Maggie (Abigail Breslin), is bitten by one of the undead and infected by the necroambulist strain. Wade brings Maggie home, the both of them—and Maggie's stepmother, Caroline (Joely Richardson)—well aware of the dwindling time she has left. As her body deteriorates and her appetite for food is replaced with a hunger for humans, Wade must decide how to handle what he knows must be done.

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Author : Dustin Putman, TheFilmFile.com.