Wesley Snipes' 'Blade' sequel is sharper than original film

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

BLADE II (Rated R, for profanity, violence, sex and drug use). Two-and-a-half stars (Fair to good) This sequel to the violent 1998 vampire action film is an even more sadistic, rip-and-roar bloodbath. But, that said, it's also a pretty good movie. Wesley Snipes returns as the half-human, half-vampire warrior, determined to rid the world of bloodsuckers. Also starring Kris Kristofferson, Leonor Varela, Norman Reedus and Ron Perlman. Guillermo del Toro directs. New Line, 118 minutes.

"Blade II" is the rare sequel that improves upon its original, offering a stronger sense of neo-gothic style, a more rounded performance from Wesley Snipes, first-rate action choreography and a narrative that adds new elements to vampire mythology.

It all depends on how much you can stomach, gore-wise. The "Blade" films are based on a Marvel Comics superhero (of the more adult graphic comic tradition).

As played by Snipes, Blade is half-human, half-vampire, the result of a vampire bite received by his mother during pregnancy. And he's determined to avenge the curse of his birth and save the human race.

In the first film, Blade destroyed a major pocket of vampires, though he seemingly lost his human mentor, a wise, old warrior named Whistler (Kris Kristofferson).

As "Blade II" opens, Blade has moved his base of operations to Prague, and he has just learned that Whistler is not dead after all. (Ah yes, the old "resurrected for the sequel" trick.)

But once Whistler is rescued, Blade and his old friend take on a surprising new assignment.

Their eternal enemies — the vampires — call for a truce and persuade Blade to side with them in a battle against an even more ferocious and deadly enemy.

A virulent new breed of vampires called "Reapers" now walk the earth and have a far-more-demanding need for blood. Disgusting-looking deadheads, with giant leech-like mouths, they'll indiscriminately wipe out all living things if they're not stopped.

The vampires argue that it's in Blade's mutual best interest to help them. So that's what he does, though working side-by-side with vampire warriors lends itself to all sorts of mistrust, betrayal and narrative twists.

Mexican cult director Guillermo del Toro brings the film the most intriguing dark-gothic style since the "Alien" and "Crow" films, and the script by David S. Goyer has a few moments of black comedy to offset all the gore.

Snipes, of course, dominates the film with a performance of aggressive, in-your-face attitude, a taut, muscular frame; a dancer's talent for fight choreography, and, oh yes, a very cool haircut.

The standouts among supporting players include Norman Reedus, as a scruffy human slacker who helps Blade with his high-tech weaponry; and the always-dependable Ron Perlman (of TV's `Beauty and the Beast"), playing a tough-as-nails vampire warrior who doesn't like to take orders from Blade.

For its very specific audience — and you know who you are — "Blade II" offers imaginative, high-energy action. But be warned: If you're not the right crowd, the gory "Blade II" won't cut it.

Rated R, for profanity, violence, sex and drug use.