A pretty noteworthy lesson in hysterical editing and cinematography - Hollywood getting closer to Hong Kong

Rating: 6/10 (9 December 2002)

Guillermo Del Toro (Cronos (1993), Mimic (1997), The Devil's Backbone (2001)) directed this fast and furious sequel, Blade 2 (2002), to Stephen Norrington's original Blade (1998) that gave hope for something interesting and personal to come out from Hollywood in this horror/action department. Wesley Snipes' charisma and strong presence accompanied by Kris Kristofferson's calmer talent with the over-the-top special effects and martial arts made the first film a very nice experience and piece of 90's "Hollywood genre cinema." The sequel isn't quite as positive an experience but still has its moments and positive things.
Snipes is again Blade, the half human, half vampire, vampire killer trying and willing to save the world from the bloodsuckers that inhabit everything and can be everywhere as long as there's no sunlight, silver or garlic near them. The sequel has a new kind of vampire breed that fights and feeds on also the "normal" vampires and very soon Blade is forced to join forces to fight the more lethal and meaner enemy that cannot be discussed with at all. What follows is mayhem, blood, "suckheads", typically not-so-deep characters, CGI effects and plenty of action.
The sequel is written by David S. Goyer who also wrote the original Blade and for example The Dark City (1998) for Alex Proyas of the Crow (1994) fame. The plot is pretty simple and as it includes plenty of action and martial arts scenes, it is really pretty hard to feel bored while watching the film, at least I didn't feel at all. The beginning, the punch to the viewer senses, is very long and interior/exterior based action spectacle that ends only when the film makers could be sure that no one in the audience was bored or not interested in the premise! The beginning gives some clues about the film's most interesting merits that are in the editing and photography departments.
The editing is fast and fierce but not irritatingly and amateurishly so. It all serves the film's cartoon like (vampire) world in which words like slow, peaceful and safe are very rare and not so easy to be found in its everyday life. When the action begins, the speed is very fast and this is taken to its maximum effect by the hysterical editing and inventive usage of camera. There are many great and long drives and different speeds of the drives that make the film genuinely stylish as they are not used in vain and all the time but cleverly and restrainedly to add the effect only when the piece needed it. Also the dark scenes at the sewer and the infamous vampire bar are pretty atmospheric and there's also a brief but memorable bit of blue mist pushing through the windows and blinds to give the kind of incredibly beautiful and moody effect as in the greatest Hong Kong pieces like Ringo Lam's City on Fire (1987) and Danny Lee's Dr. Lamb (1992) and its stunning flashback scenes at the lamb's apartment. And this is not the only thing this film has in common with the Hong Kong films and makers.
The fight choreographer is no less than the Chinese Donnie Yen who is known for his breath taking fighting talent in various Hong Kong films like Yuen Woo Ping's Iron Monkey (1993), Raymond Lee's New Dragon Gate Inn (1992) and Tsui Hark's Once Upon a Time in China 2 (1992). He also has a small role in Blade 2. The martial art fights (which are plenty, too) are, alongside the mentioned visuals, among the things that make the film's action so interesting and kinetic, and thus the film a bit close(r) to Hong Kong films.
The major bad thing is the special effects that seem little too "computer like" and don't seem to fit to the film. The CGI gore and vampire killings are not so convincing and flawless but still nice to watch as in some computer or video game, but not in a film. The film is most likely equally violent with the first film, but the first film had much more effective and inventive special and vampire effects than this sequel. Especially the beginning of part one is among the greatest beginnings I've seen for long time in any horror attempt.
The needless "shock epilogue" is also a very irritating and seems to be there as if the screenwriter had had one minute to write it and then decide, during the same minute, whether it will be included in the film or not! Also the usual one liners could be completely lacking but fortunately they are not too irritating and "entertaining." Blade 2 is harmless and fast paced piece of Hollywood horror and action film and in its own unpretentious genre it is among the more interesting and definitely professional attempts for some time and well worth a look for those interested in the genre. Definitely should be seen on the big screen as (of course) any other film, too.
6/10