Dialog Optional

Rating: 5/10 (23 September 2003)

Beautiful sets, great atmosphere, nice uniforms, pretty people, but then that is what you would expect from this film's director, who was the art director for the movie Stargate. Never during the entire film were we encouraged to really care for any of the main characters. Whenever Selene or her beau would get into danger, my immediate response was "Oooo... pretty, but who cares?" The film is comprised of visuals and action, a plot that could have used some more attention, and characters as shallow as a piece of cardboard. Whoever played the villain, Kraven, acted like he was on a Mexican soap rather than in a movie. I never once believed this guy would be in charge of a the vampire valet parking lot let alone a whole coven. What a whiney bad guy! Ick. Kate Beckinsale did a fine job acting, but then again, the script didn't have her act very much. She broods well, but the lack of substantial character development outside of flashbacks meant that I couldn't really feel for her character at all. If you mute the sound, you'd get just as much out of watching this flick. Hence, this movie would be excellent projected on the wall of a noisy Goth club or behind a Goth band during a show. You could easily turn it into a drinking game. Chug every time someone kicks in a door! See the movie and you'll understand the joke. Better yet, wait for it on cable. Better yet, wait for it on TBS. It will be on after or before the next Witchblade marathon.