A better Vampire Flick *spoilers*

Rating: 8/10 (23 October 2007)

I have been waiting for years to see a vampire movie where there weren't erotic undertones. I know why this became part of the standard mythology, but I never much cottoned to it. From an evolutionary point of view, vampires are predators, and I guess I would prefer to see them act like it. I don't need posturing. I don't need sadistic/masochistic sex, or the "goth" type tragedy of it all. I like the idea of a vampire that revels in his/her horrific nature. And we see that here in spades.
Unfortunately, the movie omits the conflict between elder and younger vampires which is large motivational factor in the graphic novel. That conflict between old school/world vampires and new school/world vampires actually plays out in the book. Tragedy v. Tyranny. It was a great aspect to the book, and would have helped give context to the vampires attacking this town.
As to the movie itself, I thought it was nicely constructed and kept on moving, concentrating on the isolation, and tension felt by the people of the town. The supporting characters weren't given much to work with, and dropped like flies one by one, but they were sympathetic in their ways.
I was finally impressed by something Josh Hartnett has done. And Melissa George was good for a strong female lead. We need more fighters and fewer screamers on the feminine front in movies.
And Unlike some folks I've spoken with, I had no problem with the screaming vampires. As predators, they address the beasts within themselves in that way. Works for me.