Recommended

It's very hard to review a sequel without making comparisons to the first movie. Where the original Blade earned its cult following with low budget genius, Blade 2 will appeal more to the mainstream masses, as it utilizes amazing effects, heart pumping techno music, computer aided fight scenes, a hot chic in leather (see this month's Maxim to see her minus most of her leather), and a bigger baddie than Stephen Dorff was in the original. The original was directed by Stephen Norrington and the one being reviewed here was directed by Guillermo del Toro. The story opens with Blade(Wesley Snipes) taking on a whole lot of vampires as he searches for Whistler(Kris Kristofferson). There is a commentary by Blade as he explains that Whistler saved him from the thirst and raised him into what he is before the vampires turned him into what Blade hates most: a vampire. On Whistler's first night off the blood wagon, the lair security is breached by two vampires who leap from the rafters in silent Spider-man type fashion. The first major impressive fight scene ensues (many of the fight scenes were choreographed by Donnie Yen who also plays a vampire in the Bloodpack, though he doesn't get enough fight time himself). When there is a draw, the two intruders unmask themselves to reveal Nyssa(Leonor Varela) and Asad(Danny John-Jules), representatives of the Vampire Nation sent to offer Blade a truce. Blade learns that there is a new enemy, an enemy to both the vampire and human races. There is more fighting, and more hand to hand combat scenes, including one phenomenal end scene between Nomak and Blade. That side of the story is completely lacking in the sequel (plot hole number 2), leaving us with a Blade who is much more comfortable in his skin. He still has some great one liners, and some great fighting scenes which showcase his advanced martial art skills. Kris Kristofferson as Whistler also seen in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, A Star is Born, and Planet of the Apes (2001): There isn't as big of a role here for Whistler as there was in the first movie, but he plays it well. He's gruff but loveable, with some great one liners and some nice character development. Ron Perlman as Reinhardt also seen in Beauty and the Beast (T.V.), Romeo is Bleeding, and Enemy at the Gates: Not usually a villain, Ron Perlman played this role with gusto, making you love to hate him, and especially happy when he got his just reward. Luke Goss as Nomak also seen in a few lesser known movies such as Zigzag and Love Life: Though he lacked the sheer genius of Stephen Dorff's villainous character in the original, through the help of special effects and decent writing, Goss plays a heinous evil character that rivals Dorff's Deacon Frost. Norman Reedus as Scud also seen in Mimic and 8MM: Reedus plays a wise cracking, long haired, constantly smoking young punk that I hated the first time I heard him speak.