Finally a vampire film that rocks. After Blade started to lose it bite i thought the genre was going to slip into mediocrity and embarrassing productions but my fears have been set to rest by this spectacularly brilliant film.
I hadn't read any of the graphic novels so had very little idea what to expect but the quality of execution in each of the major scenes was flawless. It was great to see characters in actual peril and a film where the hero doesn't show up to rescue the girl in her moment of need.
Also the brutality of the film was one of its best weapons, not for the sake of gore but to show just how horrific your death was going to be, either at the hands of the vampires or the survivors, who must kill in order to survive themselves.
Josh Hartnett and Melissa George were great in roles that were underwritten but they fleshed out what was there more than enough to make you want to care. Mark Boone Junior is especially good as the rebellious Beau who is desperate to take the fight to the vampires. But it was the vampires themselves that elicited the most empathy from me, not for them but for me to get on the humans side and root harder for their survival till dawn.
The real stars of the show are the vampires, especially the leader Marlow who is exceptional and carries the film practically on his own.
The end is pretty open and it could lead on to one of the many graphic novels being filmed although i think it'd be best to leave the whole concept as a brilliant singular effort.
And another reason to watch the film. Melissa George's lips. Hypnotic.
As good a reason as i've ever heard to see it :)
