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Overall Rating
  Awesome: 27.33%
Worth A Look: 44.1%
Average: 6.83%
Pretty Bad: 15.53%
Total Crap: 6.21%
10 reviews, 101 user ratings
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| Blade 2 |
by Scott Weinberg
"More of the same - although that's not necessarily an awful thing."
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"If you liked the first one, odds are you'll have a ball with Part 2." You'll hear this analysis rather often where several sequels are concerned, but it's never been more true than in the case of Blade 2. More of a less plot-heavy remake than an actual story continuation, Blade 2 is not interested in anything beyond quick-cut, flashy action sequences and CGI bloodletting. And to the millions adored the original film...there's nothing wrong with that.One would be somewhat insane to expect something of cinematic substance from a movie called Blade 2, but while this sequel features more than its share of exciting action scenes and deliriously creepy gory bits - it's woefully lacking in the narrative department. Blade 2 is all premise and no plot, which makes the numerous scenes that occur in between the action sequences the pinnacle of all things tiresome.
But why carp about the dialogue and plot exposition of a comic book/horror sequel that's meant as nothing more than a slick and slimy gorefest? Fans of Blade will undoubtedly appreciate the further adventures of the tortured vampire hunter and this sequel's gleeful reliance on gross-out carnage may win over a few new fans of its own.
If the original Blade displayed a slight over-reliance on bloated backstory, the sequel goes completely in the opposite direction; Blade 2 has virtually no plot whatsoever. The movie is a barely-connected series of sleek, bloody and kinetic action sequences. Given the sheer lack of anything else substantial, it's a damn good thing the fight scenes are really freakin' entertaining.
As is often the case in genre sequels, the plot can be described in one sentence: Blade is reluctantly forced to team up with a squadron of vampire commandoes in an effort to thwart the wholly disgusting Reapers. Since these new creatures love nothing more than to snack daily on vampire blood, it's logical that the undead feel the need to defend themselves. Blade steps in because after all the vampires are gone, humans will undoubtedly be next on the buffet.
While the concept of a 'vampire squadron' would seemingly lend itself well to a sort of 'undead Dirty Dozen' vibe, none of the supporting characters are fleshed out or made the least bit interesting. A series of admittedly exciting vampire attacks manages to whittle down the number of undead commandos, thereby setting the stage for a big Blade vs. Boss Reaper death-match.
Wesley Snipes returns to the role as Blade, and he's required to do nothing more than sneer, slice and kung-fu chop to his heart's content. Given Snipes' relatively meager acting chops, it's no wonder he enjoys playing the rather dimensionless hero. Kris Kristofferson returns to the thankless sidekick role as Whistler for no logical reason - other than he was in the original. Ron Perlman has some fun as the most outspoken member of the vampire squad, while Leonor Varela is stone-cold wooden as Blade's potential undead love interest.
Guillermo del Toro (Mimic) takes over directorial duties from Stephen Norrington (Death Machine) and the transition is (for the most part) a successful one. While the original Blade seemed notably more sleek and shiny, the sequel is a decidedly darker affair, with most of the action taking place in dark hallways and drippy sewers. Much like the original, Blade 2 benefits greatly from a cranium-pounding techno-rock score which lends the comic-book carnage a frenzied and rousing pulse.On the whole, Blade 2 is a tough movie to knock because it does manage to deliver the goods, particularly for fans of bloody cinematic mayhem. Some movies coast along solely on the strength of their "good parts" and Blade 2 certainly fits that classification. The film has a laundry list of minor shortcomings, but the numerous scenes of gory mayhem are worth the price of admission...if "gory mayhem" is your idea of a good time.
link directly to this review at http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=3922&reviewer=128
originally posted: 03/23/02 17:24:20
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USA
22-Mar-2002 (R)
DVD: 03-Feb-2004
UK
N/A
Australia
11-Jul-2002
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