An overabundance of plot twists, make it seem like a bad David Mamet film...

Rating: Null/10 (23 March 2002)

To think Guillermo Del Toro would deliver a more thrilling cinematic experience in Blade 2' is to delude oneself. Director Guillermo Del Toro has buried his roots in horror films and makes a solid yet failed attempt at integrating his visceral horror style into this horrible sequel. As seen in his prior films such as Cronos' and his first Studio film Mimic', Director Del Toro seems to want to reinvent the Vampire Slayer and creates a soup of genres that does not satiate the excitement level created in the first film.
Wesley Snipes reprises his role as Blade, a Vampire Hunter that has all the strengths and none of the weaknesses those he hunts have. Except for one, he can tolerate sunlight. And as such he has an advantage that as one will see within the film through the overabundance of special effects displayed; works to his advantage. Yet in this sequel, those he hunts have suddenly become his allies. David Goyer's Mamet-like' script tries to create a film filled with unnecessary twists and turns that make this film seem like a bad David Mamet film. Surely, comparing the two writers is an uneven match yet this comparison is simply to demonstrate the immense amount of ridiculous double-crosses that occur in this film. When a new evil threatens the Vampire Brotherhood, his worst enemies ask for his hand at stopping this great-looking yet underdeveloped villain who feeds on all vampires. Nomak played by Brit Luke Goss, has an insatiable and unstoppable thirst for blood and as werewolves, those he feeds on join his army of Reapers'. These movie monsters are a cross between the Predator' character and the Jeepers Creepers' Monster, unfortunately, without the appeal of the previous aforementioned characters. And as the army greatens, so does the urgency of the need to stop this evil force.
The film has Blade leading a pack of Vampires that have been trained to capture the very man they are being lead by. Through this tacky script ploy, one sees right through this dark, shallow and failed attempt at recreating the energy the first film delivered. What is admirable about the film is the fact that Director Del Toro attempts at reinventing the Blade character and enjoys a healthy does of suspense and horror in the film. Unfortunately, this change does not fit the scheme of the film original Blade' film Director Stephen Norrington created. The suspense and horror within the film come up short as the action becomes repetitive and the plot twists become migraine inducing. Furthermore, the overabundance of special effects becomes monotonous due to the careless overkill. For fans of the original seeking a campy action sequel filled with many pints of blood and guts and repetitive action sequences  they have found it. Yet, those seeking an inventive and creative film will have to study what other choices there are at the local multiplex. Director Del Toro directs his repetitive action sequences in a manner that leaves nothing to be dazzled at. The only noteworthy mention are his ambitious intentions at amalgamating live action with CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) in order to beef-up' the Martial Arts sequences in which Blade leaves bodies decomposing on the floor. And just as a corpse decomposes with time, so does this film. It attempts at reinventing a pulse-pounding ride as the opening sequence in the first film demonstrated and completely loses track of its' intentions. Furthermore, deceased characters within the first film inexplicably reappear in order to lend a little acting clout to the film. Kris Kristofferson returns as Whistler, Blade's right hand man who was shot to death in the first film and through a completely ludicrous explanation is somehow kept alive artificially. That is just one example of how far-fetched and how serious the filmmakers were at bringing us a sequel superior to the original. One last criticism of the film is the audacity to make Blade a more caring and nurturing protagonist. One such example sees Blade saving the life of a female vampire by slitting his wrist in order for her to feed off him and rejuvenate herself. I am safe to say that the predominant male audience shared my opinion at their distaste of the sequence; the only difference was I was cussing to myself and not at the screen. Therefore, as Hollywood rolls out another bad sequel, I write up another harsh, detailed criticism of a wretched attempt of filmmaking. And just as the film will lay the probability of a final and fatal blow to the Blade' franchise, so will it to the career of a once respected Wesley Snipes.
Giancarlo' s Rating: *1/2