Lives up to hype

Rating: 9/10 (28 September 2003)

Believable. Go into this film with an open mind and you'll enjoy every minute of it. Is it the greatest movie of all time? No. Is it one of the best vampire movies ever put to the screen? I say "Yes!".

What makes this film refreshing is the perspective of the story. You may not realize while watching, but there is very little "human" involvement in the story. Because of this, the characters involved become more "human" and their story becomes more believable.
Particularly believable is the embedded explanation of how vampires and werewolfs came to exist. Backing the modern era conflict with those historical facts is important to the plot; it is the foundation on which the story is built.
Another huge aspect of the film that leads to believability is that the characters are free to express emotions. Vampires that cry, werewolfs that grieve -- anger, vengence, love, integrity, all contribute to making the "monsters" more "human".
C'mon, to say Kate Beckinsale is "hot" in this film is an insult. Kate is absolutely sizzling! The role of Selene is so contradictory to anything that Kate has done thus far. The fact that this was not a stereotypical role for her, made Selene a flawless character.
Twists in the storyline will keep you intellectually challenged. What you believe at the start, you will challenge yourself to believe midway through -- your attachment to the character Lucian will prove this to be true.

Don't get hung up on spoilers. So vampires aren't supposed to be able to cast a reflection. Says who? Humans? Well humans didn't know there was an unground battle raging between to non-existent species for centuries. The casting of a reflection (Selene in the mirror) is important to the story. For you hardcore vampire enthusiasts, let the story challenge your beliefs and accept that perhaps things are not as you have come to believe.

Let it go and enjoy the film for what it is -- a high impact, action filled, Romeo and Juliet-ish, Matrix-like, portrayal of humanity from a non-human perspective.