I didn’t see the original "Blade" movie, and didn’t know anything about his comic book origins, so I did a little research.  As best I can tell, Blade made his debut in a comic book called Tomb of Dracula (volume 10).  The story started with his birth.  It turns out that his mom was human, but her doctor was a vampire and bit the mom just before Blade’s birth.   Somehow this made Blade immune to vampire bites.  And as he grew older, though he had the thirst for blood, he acquired a serum to eliminate the blood lust, and he sought revenge on vampires; in fact he dedicated his life to trying to destroy them.  Kind of an interesting twist huh?

      In the film "Blade II", starring a very stoic Wesley Snipes in the title role, the story twists again.  A new breed of vampire was created. They are called the “Blood Tide” (no apparent relation to the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama.)  Unfortunately for the world of vampires and humans, the Tide is “higher on the food chain” – meaning these new vampires feast on the old style vampires, and eventually on humans once the more tasty vampires have dried up.  So the old vampires ask Blade to help them.  Will he?  If he does why?   I’ll let the film explain that to you.

      I’m not really a vampire fan, at least not since Bela Lugosi.  I’m amazed Hollywood is stuck on the idea and have produced so many variations on the basic story.  I did a search and found 99 Dracula movies alone, including "Dracula’s Dog", "Blacula", and "Mother Riley Meets the Vampire" (a Bela Lugosi flick).  I imagine if I searched for vampires, the number would greatly increase. 

      Even though I’ve long ago had my fill of vampire movies, this one has a lot more bite.  It is a very well done action horror movie.  Lots of fights, shocks, gore, frightening sequences, great special effects, neck sucking actions and even a fairly complex storyline.  It moved so fast for such long periods that I honestly felt my seat should have had a safety bar.  You know like when you ride a roller coaster? 

      The film was well crafted.  Though much of it was in dark dreary settings which usually puts me off, the action was very clear as the camera work, lighting and set design was well done.  The film is very violent and gory, so those with weak stomachs may want to pass it up.  Other than the blood and violence though, there were only two other negatives for me. 

      One negative was the fact that Kris Kristofferson was in the movie. I’m sure you have some actors that you just cannot stand – well he is one of mine.  It is difficult for me to watch any scene he is in  – like sunlight to a vampire, Kristofferson on the big screen makes me wish I were resting in my coffin. 

      The other negative was the lack of humor.  I guess what I really mean is that they attempted humor here and there to lighten the mood a bit, but it just did not have any bite to it.   See? Just like that one. 

      In spite of the negatives, if you go to the movies, to be entertained – wow, this is full of chills and spills.  Wear garlic, a cross, have a close look at the person sitting next to you , and then hold on tight for a wild flight through the dark other world.