BLADE II

Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Pearlman, Leonor Varela, Danny John-Jules and Luke Goss
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Running Time: 124 mins
Certificate: 18

Out to buy on DVD 30th September

After searching for two years, Blade (Snipes) finally locates his lost mentor Whistler (Kristofferson). Imprisoned and kept in suspended animation after failing to take his own life before he turned, Whistler returns to Blade's side in his fight against the Vampires. But the Vampires have more than just Blade fighting them. A new breed of Vampire called Reapers, who feed on the children of the night and not humans have started attacking their ranks. Nyssa (Varela) is sent by the leaders of the vampire nation to seek a truth with Blade and ask him to help them fight the Reapers before they start targeting the humans.

The original Blade was one of the best comic book to movie adaptations in a very long time and its sequel is just as good. Spanish Director Guillermo Del Toro (The Devil's Backbone, Mimic and Cronos) injects even more gore and action into the mix and it is all done in an extremely visual and entertaining way.

Wesley Snipes has made the character of Blade totally his own. He has to be one of the best non-Asian martial artists working on the big screen at the moment. Kris Kristofferson makes a welcome return as Whistler and Ron Pearlman is very entertaining as Reinhardt. Special mention also has to go to Luke Goss as the head of the Reapers, Jared Nomak. You would believe that behind that great performance and all that make-up was the drummer from 80's Boy Band Bros.

The fight choreography is extraordinary. Blending live action and CG generated movements, especially in the Reaper encounters, into the fights is both seamless and spectacular. The special effects and makeup have a much larger budget than the previous film and it shows. The Vampire 'dustings' are now more stunning than ever and the Reapers themselves are both hideous and frightening.

The story is not the most involving in the world and they never really explain why they kept Whistler like he was for two year but this doesn't really matter when the action comes as thick and fast as it does. Anyway, if you loved the first movie none of this is going to matter as you are going to adore this movie anyway.

Audio commentary from director Guillermo del Toro and screenwriter David S. Goyer, Audio commentary from producer Peter Frankfurt and star Wesley Snipes, Isolated score audio track, 'Production Workshop': A director's notebook with introduction from Guillermo del Toro, 'A Pack In Blood': Original documentaries regarding the production and storyline with an art gallery, Deleted and alternative scenes, Cypress Hill and Roni Size 'Child Of The Wild West' music video, Theatrical trailers, Original theatrical press kit, Interactive menu, Scene access and Dolby Digital 5.1/dts


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