Review: ‘Tooth & Nail’ on DVD

If you’re like me (that’s a scary thought) … you went and saw Doomsday when it came out, expected something really new and cool, but left the theatre wanting more. That is, wanting more than what we got, which was a huge special FX driven action movie that, while wasn’t necessarily a waste a money, but was rather short on story and character development.

Tooth & Nail is the second film from the After Dark Horrorfest that I’ve indulged my self with. Written, directed and edited by Mark Young, this entry into the post-apocalyptic horror genre offers a little more. Its shy on the special FX, and the dialogue is nothing to write home about, but offers more in the way of an original take on the “end of the world” concept and actually develops some characters. Mark Young has shown me he’s a director to keep an eye on, especially since he’s already got his second film, Southern Gothic, hitting the festival circuits.

Granted, Tooth & Nail isn’t the epitome of fine acting either, but its good enough to carry the story along. Nicole DuPort, who’s making a rapid ascent into the horror genre as a new scream queen (do they still exist?), plays Dakota. She is one member of a band of human survivors that forage for their food and supplies. Wait a minute … let me rewind a bit: I have to tell you the back-story. The film begins with a great introductory sequence that explains how the world has come to this dismal fate and its not how we typically imagine it would happen, but it makes sense. We run out of oil! Sounds silly, but watch the film and you’ll find the explanation makes total sense.

Anyway, where was I … yes, this band of human survivors is camped out in a huge hospital. One day, as a couple of them are out making rounds, they happen upon Neon (Rachel Miner), a woman who’s hurt and alone. They take her in as part of their group. Soon after, they realize a large band of nomadic cannibals called Rovers have located their hideout. The group must figure out how to survive against a threat that is bigger, larger in numbers, better armed and much meaner than they are. From here, the hunt begins. This film selected quite a cast of big, mean-looking actors to play the rovers, but the highlights are the scenes featuring Michael Madsen and Vinnie Jones as two of the more formidable rovers.

Tooth & Nail is a tad slow at times, but it also helps to build the suspense. As the film climaxes, a twist emerges with one character (which honestly, wasn’t that surprising … but, was welcome) and triggers a primal metamorphosis in another character. The only thing I can really complain about is the final shot in the movie, which the film really didn’t need. It was something that felt like it ought to have appeared in the deleted scenes extra, but its not something that kills the rest of the movie. The cast also includes Rider Strong, Michael Kelly and Robert Carradine.