Popcorn nonsense for sure, but shot with a wit, skill and understanding of its audience all too rarely seen in the genre.
Blade 2 (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:133
Fresh:77
Rotten:56
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: Blade 2 takes what works in the original and gives us more. Unfortunately, plot and character development appear to have been left on the cutting room floor.
Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: In Guillermo del Toro's Blade 2, Wesley Snipes reprises his role as the part-human, part-vampire superhero based on the comic book character. Following a trail of blood that leads to Prague, Blade... In Guillermo del Toro's Blade 2, Wesley Snipes reprises his role as the part-human, part-vampire superhero based on the comic book character. Following a trail of blood that leads to Prague, Blade (aka the Daywalker) slays a legion of bloodsuckers in the search for his abducted mentor, Whistler (Kris Kristofferson). Soon Blade reluctantly joins forces with a band of skilled vampiric warriors called the Bloodpack to hunt down an even deadlier enemy--the monstrous Reapers, who prey on vampires and humans alike, infecting them with an incurable virus. In addition to battling these relentless new foes, Blade must deal with situations brought about by the Bloodpack's tenuous alliance --in particular, his attraction to the lovely Nyssa (Leonor Varela) and his rivalry with the brutish Reinhardt (Ron Perlman). A hyperkinetic motion picture, BLADE II literally explodes onto the screen with hi-tech weaponry and stunning special effects. The fight sequences, choreographed by Hong Kong superstar Donnie Yen (who plays Bloodpack member Snowman), are remarkably hard-hitting and elaborate. The film also improves on the entertaining original by adding a darker, more visceral tone that's fleshed out by del Toro's stylish and brilliantly grotesque visuals. Both frightening and thrilling, BLADE II is sure to astound both horror and action fans alike. [More]
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Leonor Varela, Ron Perlman
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Leonor Varela, Ron Perlman, Luke Goss, Norman Reedus, Thomas Kretschmann, Donnie Yen, Daz Crawford, Matt Schulze, Danny John-Jules
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Screenwriter: David S. Goyer, Guillermo Del Toro
Producer: Wesley Snipes
Studio: New Line Cinema
Reviews for Blade 2
Stripped down to such basics as story and dialogue, it's nothing to get excited about.
Benefits greatly from the presence of Mexican horror maestro director Guillermo del Toro, delivering action, blood, gore and guts in crowd-pleasing fashion.
Mexican director Del Toro takes the reins for this followup to the successful 1998 vampire thriller, and the result is considerably better. Which isn't saying much.
Even when it drags, we are forced to reflect that its visual imagination is breathtaking
Delivers all you could wish for from the sequel to 1998's action vampire flick. And then some.
For sheer demonic energy, there's nothing else around to touch this follow-up by Guillermo del Toro.
A superior, exciting, and creepy if somewhat flawed sequel to the original box-office hit and a hoot to watch.
The joy in Blade II simply comes from watching Snipes as Blade doing his thing -- destroying vampires and whipping out martial arts on whomever gets too close.
Does anyone else miss the days when Snipes used to take chances and show his formidable stuff as both a comic and dramatic actor? Doesn't he miss those days?
The borderline-chaotic fight scenes, set to a deafeningly loud rap-rock/heavy metal score, are directed and edited for maximum kinetic impact.
Everything gets bogged down in one spectacularly gory action sequence after another.
Gruseome violence, special effects, fast-moving action, and Del Torro's stylish cutting and framing can't conceal the blank space at the center of the screen, created by David Goyer's inept and uninvolving script.
It's so much adrenaline-pumped B-movie fun, it's nearly worth full price.
The fast-paced action is unnervingly fast, almost dizzying. The story is thin, the plot is predictable, but Wesley Snipes carries this comic book character off with enough clever humor and self-indulgent pathos to carry it off.
The addition of just enough original ideas, has been, and hopefully will remain the key to keeping the franchise fresh, original and exciting.
Latest News for Blade 2
November 14, 2008:
Five Favorite Films with Guillermo del Toro
RT caught up with Hellboy II director Guillermo del Toro at the DVD/Blu-ray Launch Event for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, where the celebrated fantasy auteur shared his favorite... More...
August 13, 2008:
What The Hell Happened To Wesley Snipes?
In the first part of a new Rotten Tomatoes feature, we examine the career ups and downs of our favorite fallen celebrities -- as charted by the Tomatometer, of course, and... More...
July 13, 2008:
Guillermo del Toro - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview
We have an extended chat with the director of Cronos, Pan's Labyrinth and this week's Hellboy II to talk about his career past, present and future and tap him for juicy... More...
February 11, 2008:
Tekken Adaptation Finds Its Lead
As an actor, Luke Goss has historically been a man of many sequels (Blade II, Hellboy II: The Golden Army), but for his next project, he'll be joining a franchise on the ground... More...
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