THE MOVIE PAGES feature review BLADE 2 starring Wesley Snipes blade2.htm

Insight

It's gutsy! It's gory! It's action packed! It's chock-a block full of fabulous special effects! And it's the second time round for the "Daylighter". That's right, you guessed it in one. Wesley Snipes is back again in the 100% action sequal "Blade 2" and what a sequal it is. Well it is if you're in to vampires, death, destruction and heaps of gore. But don't let that put you off. "Blade" started a real cult following and many in the population harbor a fascination for Vampires and the supernatural. This time round though, Blade is working for the baddies providing a clever and rewarding twist in the plot. "Blade 2" certainly is a showcase for Snipes who by all appearances is even darker this time as Eric Brooks aka Blade. Snipes really lives and breathes the menacing star originally created in the pages of Marvel Comics. Filmed entirely on location in Prague the dower scenery adds to the eerie appeal of "Blade 2". Director Guillermo del Toro has ensured audiences won't get bored by allowing no "time-outs" as "Blade 2" races across the screen at breakneck speed. There certainly isn't an opportunity to either pull back from the onscreen action of gather ones breath as we are bombarded with spectacular special effects one after the other. del Toro can certainly claim much of the credit for a snappy, finished product. His credits include the acclaimed debut film "Cronos", "Mimic" and the soon to be released in Australia [1st August 2002] "The Devils Backbone". del Toro is a devotee of horror [his companies name is Necropia] and he is currently working on a number of projects including "The Coffin", "Mephisto's Bridge" and "The Left Hand of Darkness". Behind all the whiz bang technology is a pretty solid cast of players. Led by Wesley Snipes ["Wildcats", "White Men Can't Jump", "Major League", "Drop Zone" and "Money Train"] all the support cast are credible in their individual roles. Kris Kristofferson [ "A Star is Born", "Payback" and "Planet of the Apes"] is back in the role of Whistler proving that even in the vampire world "it's hard to keep a good man down". One disappointment I felt was with the character Nyssa. It's a pity that there wasn't more here. Hell, even Vampires need a mate and I was hoping that there may have been a love angle amongst all the mayhem. Not that there's anything wrong with Leonor Valera's ["Texas Rangers", "The Man in the Iron Mask" & "The Tailor of Panama"] performance as Nyssa. So if you loved the original "Blade" [was it really 1998] and you're in to vampires or your just a fan of good old "blood n guts" horror movies then "Blade 2" is definately for you. Oh, and special effect or FX fans will get a real charge out of this one too. The Story

The Daylighter is back and he's on a rescue mission. The vampire trail has led him to Prague in search of his old friend The Whistler. That accomplished Blade is about to be made an offer he can't refuse. When Blade is approached by his enemies [your every day ordinary old generic Vampires] to help save them and the world from a new blood sucking, rip your insides out enemy with incredible powers, he finds it may be more than he ever bargained for. But what the heck, for Blade it's all in a days work.

The Verdict "Lovers of horror, supernatural and good old fashioned blood 'n' guts films will find their appetite fully satisfied in this gory extravaganza full of the best blood sucking freaks you've seen in a long while. For all others who are tempted to see "Blade 2" take note, the Special FX are worth the price of the admission on their own. Forget the "Rocky Horror Show", "Blade 2" offers more horror and really does rock 'n' roll from start to bloodied finish. "Blade 2" is definately one film you can sink your teeth into!!"

What The Critics Say

"A balls-to-the-walls rock 'n roll bloody vampire extravaganza."
JoBlo JOBLO'S MOVIE EMPORIUM
"... it is quite a relief to find a vampire movie that doesn't (pardon the pun) suck."
Anthony Leong MEDIACIRCUS
"Del Toro has done the impossible and made vampires scary again."
The Wolf IOFILM.CO.UK
"If villainous vampires are your cup of blood, Blade 2 is definitely a cut above the rest."
Staci Layne Wilson FANTASTICA DAILY
"... Blade II is more enjoyable than the original."
Kevin Thomas LOS ANGELES TIMES
"While we no longer possess the lack-of-attention span that we did at seventeen, we had no trouble sitting for Blade II."
Chuck Schwartz CRANKY CRITIC®
"In the hands of Mexican horror auteur Guillermo del Toro, Blade II is not simply a pale warming over of the original, but a pulsating (in more ways that one!) film that builds on the original and takes it further. Blade II is a pleasant surprise - it's a sequel that's probably better than the original ...."
David Edwards URBAN CINEFILE
"If you can keep your eyes open amid all the blood and gore, you'll see Del Toro has brought unexpected gravity to Blade II."
Steven Rosen DENVER POST
"Between action, gunplay, fights, chases, special effects, and offensive one-liners, Blade II pleases on all levels."
Kevin A. Ranson MOVIECRYPT.COM
"An unexpectedly ambitious vampire movie, armed with a bigger budget, a better script, a truly epic plot and a director with artistic sensibilities of his own."
Eugene Novikov ULTIMATE MOVIES!
"...at a point when the movie theater offers little to no genuine thrills, this is one of those movies that satisfies most of our cravings."
David Keyes DAVID KEYES' CINEMA 2000
"done with such energy, style, and throwaway abandon that only those who detest the genre altogether will fail to get a kick out of it"
James Kendrick Q NETWORK FILM DESK
"Guillermo del Toro brings a carefully crafted style to Blade 2 that elevates it beyond most other films of its kind."
Mike McGranaghan AISLE SEAT

The Cast

Wesley Snipes
Kris Kristofferson
Norman Reedus
Leonor Varela
Ron Perlman
Luke Goss
Daz Crawford
Matt Schulze
Donnie Yen
Karel Roden
Danny John-Jules
Rey-Phillip Santos
Pete Lee-Wilson
Tony Curran
Marit Velle Kile
Thomas Kretschmann
Bridge Markland
Santiago Segura
Marek Vasut

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Blade [Eric Brooks]
Abraham Whistler
Scud [Josh]
Nyssa Damaskinos
Reinhardt [Bloodpack leader]
Jared Nomak
Lighthammer
Chupa
Snowman
Kounen
Asad
Red Eye/Reaper
Blood Bank Doctor
Priest
Verlaine
Overlord Eli Damaskinos
Vampire
Rush
Lolem