Picture Aliens II but without the fear and terror...

Rating: 7/10 (22 March 2002)

Enter once again that realm of Hollywood action marketing...
The sequel....
In this case what is new?!?!? Well they stuck pretty much with the same winning formula. Blade is his old comic book self as well as his sidekick and nemisis parts, little on dialogue, big on action and looks. Here director Guillermo De Toro (Mimic, Devil's Backbone) tries to see if he can put his crowning touch on this very likable character.
In short this film was kind of odd, It started off kind of dissapointing, and then got better, and actually kind of did real good towards the end. It also had some GREAT scenes. The basic plot involves a new breed of vampires (Reapers) that are stalking all of the planet including the ordinary vampires. The high council asks Blade for his assistance in stopping the threat which is more powerful and more thirst ridden and could wipe away all life.. Henceforth Blade allies himself (cautiously with his small team of humans) AND with the 'Bloodpack' an elite vampire fighting force that was originaly set up to kill none other than the daywalker himself.
My biggest problem with this film was that there wasn't alot that was new. That being said the first Blade was just a great neat thing, but watching this I couldn't help but have the feeling, yeah I've seen this already... been there done that. However, with the addition of these new Reapers there was something more to get excited about.. only problem is they are introduced very slowly into the picture... just enough to tease the audience..
Also the director has some great looking shots that are very eerie.. there is alot of suspense.. but not much dialogue but after all it is a comic book like script. The action is first rate involving some great fight scenes that are 1 half Matrix like, 1 half standard bone crunching, and 1 half WWF!! (I think the director has this thing about wrestling moves)... In the end it comes out very unique as the Reapers are no EASY kill..
My biggest beef though was that the film wasn't scary.. unlike the first one. Maybe they needed more women stalking guys and then ready to do the ole praying mantis thing (in the first film that just gave me the chills), here however, the film comes across as re-make of Aliens II with the Reapers (LOTS OF THEM) and the rag tag 'Bloodpack' is a knock off of the alien marine fighters but without any of the charisma, depth or likeableness. Picture Aliens II with the spaceship co-ridors and aliens replaced with improved vampires and sewer tunnels but without the chilling edge of your seat terror.
That being said the film is what it is, a simple action film, with some good fight scenes, neat villain(s), and some good shots. I just wish they could have made some of the supporting cast have more lines, and more insight into their characters.... some of them were kind of bland and they could have done WAY more with the script. But overall it was a good film.
Rating 7 out of 10