This is one of the most depressing films I've seen a long time. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing; sometimes bleak is appropriate. Just don't bother if you're in the mood for Zombieland!
The basic premise involves two brothers fleeing a plague which is spread by contact across the country with two girls (one girlfriend, one acquaintance) to an idyllic setting they remember from their childhood, whilst trying to avoid dying unpleasantly. While the entire cast's performances are excellent, the standout is definitely Chris Pine (yes, the new Captain Kirk!) as the older brother, not necessarily because of his acting ability, but because he was just so much fun.
It's interesting to compare this film with the more well-known, and popular, Zombieland. Both films include a set of rules to follow in order to survive, and both involve avoiding contagion, but you couldn't get two more different films in mood, execution, and style. While Zombieland was, quite frankly, a one-joke film which didn't have enough depth to support itself, Carriers was tense, gritty, and realistic in its treatment. By the half-way point in Zombieland I was bored and annoyed; this never happened in Carriers. I really was at the edge of my seat the whole time.
I can't recommend this film highly enough for fans of the genre. It's the best plague film I've seen for a long time, the death-toll was realistic, and the post-apocalyptic environment was both convincing and brutal. Enjoy, then watch something cheerful afterwards...
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