Gripping,Quirky and Fun.

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2008)

I am not a particular fan of Vampire movies, nor of graphic novels generally, let alone the one upon which this was apparently based.My high rating does not acknowledge a cinematic masterpiece, but a genre piece well made, well told.
Much has been made about so called "factual" errors and plot "holes" 'which totally miss the point.You are invited to suspend disbelief. If you, do you will have a ball, if you don't it is a nonsense.
Josh Hartnett, as Sheriff Eban Oleson, is the fulcrum of the tale and does a fine job carrying the film for a full 113 minutes, about twenty minutes longer than a film like this normally demands.Although generously strewn with verbal and situational clichés the stylish presentation and pacey editing keeps things moving.
The vampires themselves owe more to the Zombies genre, than the Vampire one.Their sub titled incomprehensible language adding to a sense of mystery and menace.Producer Sam Raimi's hand looms large here. The core of the story plays on our fears of what happens when it gets dark, and we are all alone and our mind starts to run away with primitive fears, which is why it works so well. it is an Everyman story well delivered.
I suspect that hardcore "Vampiristas" may be disappointed by this film which occupies a large chunk of the conventional horror/ Zombie/ slasher genres, which is of course what makes it successful. For there is enough for fans of all of these to thoroughly enjoy.