For fans only

Rating: 4/10 (15 September 2002)

If you're a fan of comic books or comic book movies, then please disregard my comments. "Blade 2" is slick, flashy and well-made. It's packed with action and most of it is well-choreographed. But I just couldn't get into it. I didn't find the plot all too appealing, the little plot there was. This is basically an action showcase. The first minute you see Blade pop up on screen and beat the crap out of these ugly vamps, you wanna cheer. But after a while, the action runs its course. With a stronger script, I think this movie could've gone a lot farther. The special f/x are elaborate, the soundtrack is way cool. Aesthetically, Guilermo Del Toro did a fine job.

I saw the original "Blade" and thought it was pretty good. It could've been a lot better, but it was entertaining. I loved the opening shot of the original, in the vampire club where the blood sprays from the ceiling. That was a beautiful scene in a demented, perverted sort of way. But I had a hard time watching the sequel without my mind drifting off. I love Wesley Snipes, and recently he hasn't been in too many movies. So it was good to see him on screen again. I really don't see too much of Kris Kristofferson, and as old as he is, he still maintains a cool presence. If you do happen to rent or buy the DVD, please don't skip out on the commentary with Wesley Snipes and writer David Goyer. Snipes has an incredibly good sense of humor. It was almost like Snipes and Goyer were doing an episode of "Mystery Science Theater 2000." So instead of hearing pretentious comments about how great working with this person was and how great this scene was, they blurt out all sorts of hysterical things. It's great to know that a fine actor can lay back, watch his own movie and simply have fun with it.

I've grown desensitized to most graphic violence in films, but even for vampire movie standards, I will say that the gore factor in "Blade 2" is tremendous. So if you're squeamish, this really isn't the film for you.

My score: 4 (out of 10)