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- Blade 2 - UK DVD - 

There seems to be two unwriten rules concerning movies these days.
The first is that all movies must have a sequel, whether they were smash hits or
complete flops doesn't matter. The second rule is that it must always be inferior
to the first in every way.
'Blade 2' breaks both of these rules and laughs while it does it, in fact, breaks
them big time. There is more of everything in this film, more fights, more gore, 
more story, more effects, hell, there's even more discs. This is a two disc set 
compared to the originals solitary disc.
The original 'Blade' was a massive success, it told the story of the ultimate 
'vampire hunter,' who because his mother had been attacked by vampires before his
birth, had the strengths of being both a vampire and a mortal. Possessing the speed
and strength of a vampire combined with the ability to be able to walk the streets 
during the day, earned him the nickname of 'Daywalker' from his undead enemies.
Along with his mentor, 'Whistler', they were the greatest threat to the 'vampire 
nation,' until now, but I'm jumping ahead of myself, we'll come to that later.
'Blade 2' sees the film start where the first left off, in Prague, Blade is 
searching for 'Whistler' who was bitten and taken by the vampires in the original
and who didn't kill himself as we were led to believe after he was attacked. 
Eventually, he finds him and in a blaze of spectacular martial arts and gore, 
which runs concurrently throughout the film, rescues him from his state of being in 
stasis. 
Back at their 'hidden' base, Blade forces 'Whistler' to go through 'cold turkey' so
he can become a normal human once again. After this successful attempt and much to 
his disdain, Whistler meets Blades new helper, 'Scud'. 
There is not much time for pleasant exchanges however as their base is infiltrated 
by vampires. For once though, they have not come to attack 'Blade,' rather offer him
a proposition.
Intrigued, the trio allow themselves to be taken to meet the 'Supreme Vampire Overlord,
Damaskinos.' 
It seems that the vampires are no longer the 'hunters' but are now the 'hunted' and 
this time not just by Blade. 
What's more, they're scared. There is now a new breed of vampire called 'Reapers'. 
They are much more faster, stronger and much more vicious than the normal vampires. 
They are also using the normal vampires as their prey. To make matters worse, they 
are carrying a virus that make survivors of their attacks become the same as them. 
The normal vampire numbers are diminishing, once they are gone, mortal humans will 
be next on their foodchain. 
The Reapers must be wiped out entirely otherwise vampire and mortal kind are both 
doomed. 
Agreeing to help, Blade is offered assistance from a team of specially trained 
vampires called the 'Bloodpack', thing is, they were specially trained to capture
and kill Blade thus making it an extremely uneasy alliance.
Blade actually begins to form an almost romantic bond with the leader of the 
'Bloodpack,' Nyssa, who happens to be Damaskinos's daughter. 
After much tracking, arguing, fighting (Reapers and amongst themselves), they 
finally track down 'Nomak,' the leader and most powerful of the Reapers. 
But, that's where I shall leave it because believe me, I haven't given a thing 
away. There are more twists and turns from hereonin than a years worth of soap 
opera's. 
Wesley Snipes plays 'Blade' with even more 'cool' than he did in the first film, 
his fight scenes (of which there are many) have to be seen to be believed.
Kris Kristofferson is just as 'bitter' as 'Whistler' but the biggest surprise 
has to come from who plays the 'Reapers' leader, 'Nomak'. None other than one 
half of the atrocious 80's pop group 'Bros,' namely Luke Goss. His performance
is that good that I could almost forgive him for causing me to go deaf in the 
80's with his inane warblings, then again, I did say 'almost forgive him'.
With the majority of the film being filmed either underground or at night, it 
will come as no surprise that it is a very dark movie, what is surprising though
is how clear the picture is, which by the way comes in an anamorphic widescreen.
The audio doesn't disappoint either, with the soundtrack and effects flying around
your surround sound speakers. You have the choice of Dolby Digital EX 5.1, DTS 
ES 6.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0. 
The extra's consist of an audio commentary from either Director Guillermo Del 
Toro and Writer David Goyer or Producer Peter Frankfurt and star Wesley Snipes. 
You can also just listen to the Isolated Score.
That, is just the first disc.
So, slap in the second disc in and you'll find a documentary entitled 'The Blood
Pack' which runs for around an hour and twenty minutes. You name it and this 
documentary covers it, that's not the best bit though, it features a 'branching 
option'. Basically, this feature allows the viewer to go directly to another 
related section on the disc with just the press of the 'enter' button on the 
remote when a 'vampire icon' appears on the lower left-hand side of the screen.
There are also deleted and alternate scenes with the choice of an audio commentary
from Guillermo Del Toro, sections on visual effects and an art gallery, a theatrical
presskit, Director's and Script Supervisor's Notebooks, video game survival guide
original theatrical and teaser trailers plus a music video from Roni Size and Cypress
Hill and some DVD Rom content.
In fact, there's that much that I've probably missed some out.
Needless to say, to watch the film AND the extra's, you'll need to put a full day
aside.
I can't recommend this film enough, this is how a sequel should be made, bigger and
better in every way.

Reviewed By Dracula

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