Set your standards low and you'll be impressed

Rating: 6/10 (24 March 2002)

I can't say I was disappointed in this film- my expectations were low at best. I thoroughly enjoyed the first movie, but sequels to these types of movies are motivated by money, and are traditionally best left unmade. The story was fairly solid, but like so many trashy vampire movies as of late (i.e. "Queen of the Damned," the 'worst-movie-I've-ever-seen-save-Battlefield Earth "John Carpenter's Vampires") it focused on action, mindlessness, and gore rather than character development and/or plot.
The correlation between the original "Blade" and the sequel is shaky, but they at least make an attempt to bridge them together with an opening monologue (these never usually work- this was no exception) and several flashbacks. Surprisingly, the flashbacks actually add flavor, especially if it's been a while since you've seen the first movie.
The sound was solid, both musically and effects-wise, but the visual effects appear as if they were done on some college kid's Macintosh: they looked pretty much like one of those Jeff Goldblum-endorsed home movies. The supernatural-like abilities, such as quick swordplay, towering jumps, and kicks that knocked the opponents back 10 meters, were incredibly cheesy at best. A big disappointment compared with the quality of the effects in "Blade.
There were some highlights however. Kris Kristofferson was miraculously decent, not so much in his portrayal of Whistler as in his overall acting ability. But I guess anything is an improvement from the 'zero' of the first movie. Wesley Snipes proves that Blade is his character and nobody else's. The surprise was in the appearance of Danny John-Jules (the memorable "Cat" in TV's "Red Dwarf" series)- his first big screen appearance since "Lock, Stock..." It's cool to hear him with his accent. And no one plays a cocky a**hole like Ron Perlman, and he doesn't fail in this role.
These high points were quickly absolved however with the "elbow drop from the top ropes" scene near the end of the film. This scene was probably elaborated with the fact that the film opened with a preview for "The Scorpion King." Nonetheless, it ruined it for me. If you're into the WWF, it'll probably make you go "whoah" like you did in 3rd grade when that sort of crap might have been cool.
If you're in to these types of flicks, you'll be entertained; like I said, it was better than "Queen of the Damned." Heck, if you go in with the lowest possible expectations you might even be impressed.