Film Reviews

Blade 2

• Rating:
• Director: Guillermo del Toro
• Starring: Kris Kristofferson
• Details: US / 109 minutes / (18).

Although it's set in the moody environs of Prague, Blade 2 essentially takes up where the first instalment of the fearless vampire slayer left off, as the title character (Wesley Snipes) does battle with a new host of bloodsuckers out to conquer the world. Chief amongst these ne'er-to-do-wells is Nomak (Luke Goss, formerly of boy band Bros) who is a Reaper vampire, a deadly new species that preys on their own peers, as well as mortals. Forming a dangerous alliance with the king of vampires, Damaskinos (Thomas Kretschmann) and his cronies, Blade sets out to rid the world of the Reapers. While it's likely that I've ascribed too much intelligence to the filmmakers, Blade 2 seems to revel in its own foolishness, a picture that purposely overplays all of the worst excesses of the horror/vampire genre. Stylishly shot with some extremely well executed fight sequences, the film is a darkly gothic visual treat, and one that seems to understand its own limitations. Which is a rare enough thing these days. Silly but fun.

Review by Garreth Murphy