From Deseret News archives:
Blade II
Film review
In fact, this horror/action-thriller a sequel to the surprise 1998 hit is so extremely graphic and gory in its depiction of vampire violence that it's a wonder the film didn't receive an NC-17 rating.
That said, those who can stomach the grotesque, sometimes-cartoonish gore may get a kick out of the film. For one thing, it's definitely an improvement on the first "Blade," since it doesn't take itself so deadly seriously.
And though the film's maker, Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro, is known more for cerebral and creepy horror films (1993's "Cronos," last year's "The Devil's Backbone"), his latest is filled with wall-to-wall action that may leave you breathless, if a bit queasy.
This all-too-inevitable sequel takes place two years after the events of the first movie and immediately jumps into the action as its half-human, half-vampire title character (Wesley Snipes) attempts to rescue his mentor Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) who, it turns out, isn't dead but instead has been "vamped" by Blade's enemies.
These creatures, called Reapers, are hunting vampires for food and are multiplying at an alarming rate. So Blade finds himself teamed up with a pack of vampires, all of whom were originally trained to take him down. So even if he can find a way to stop the Reapers, he may have to face his new allies later.
It could be argued that Del Toro has swiped the film's fast-paced, brutal action style from "The Matrix," though, if anything, this is even more adrenaline-charged and less comic-bookish. And he has a hero in Snipes who actually looks convincing in the fight scenes. (Snipes also seems to have found the right take on the character, who is a funnier and more imposing figure this time out.)
The supporting cast is also solid, with Kristofferson adding needed levity and Ron Perlman, Luke Goss and Thomas Kretschmann making threatening villains.
"Blade II" is rated R for intense, graphic violence (gunfire, stabbings, impalings and vampiric attacks), considerable gore, frequent use of strong, sexually related profanity, simulated drug use (marijuana, cocaine and scenes of hypodermic usage), use of crude sexual slang terms, a brief scene of torture and glimpses of nude photos. Running time: 110 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com
Comments
Cast: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Leonor Varela, Ron Perlman
Find a Movie Theater
- French, Afghan troops push on 10:47 a.m.
- In quieter Baghdad, bingo is back 10:45 a.m.
- Germans ID convert as terror suspect 10:44 a.m.
- Serb Patriarch Pavle dies 10:25 a.m.
- Palin's way of talkin' dissected 10:24 a.m.
- Sponsor for gay-rights bills found 9:53 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
359 - BYU happy to escape with victory
205 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
161 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Sloan may toy with starting lineup
87
If nobody cares about this story then why did comment on it? Way to prove...
Are nothing but an attack on freedom of speech. Individuals should be able to...
How is it obvious that DWill wants Sloan gone? Is it cause he twitted that...
Let the losers fight over their scraps.
Glad I watched the RSL match.
Marvin, my head is spinning from your double speak. You say you have...
I think "restore" is the appropriate word here. The sales tax used to apply...
No, not the Utes performance against TCU or BYU's against NM. What is truly...
BYU has a history of letting good games and press get to their heads. They...
Bennett is a good, decent man who should NOT be re-elected because many like...




You can be the first to comment on this story.