The battle for screen time between zombies and vampires is continuing with the forthcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of the live-action version of BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE. This film presents yet another variation on the vampire mythology that is closer to BLADE than the recently released THIRST, because our hero, or rather heroine, although she is Asian she is a sword-wielding, half-vampire, half-human with a mission to kill vampires and other demons, making her both a vampire slayer and a vampire slayer.
For those familiar with the original anime version the story won’t need explaining, and thankfully it doesn’t deviate too much from its roots. 16-year-old Saya (convincingly played by Gianna Jun) is working for a shadowy society known only as the Council, killing demons and vampires for them as revenge for her human father, and her mentor, both being killed by Onigen, the demon leader. The Council, under the guise of the CIA, send her to school on an American military base near Tokyo that is being overrun by bloodsuckers. At the school she saves the life of the general’s daughter Alice (Allison Miller) and they eventually become friends, against all odds, while Saya continues her battle and quest to destroy Onigen.
This live action version moves along at a cracking pace compared with the anime. The iconic long opening scene on the train lacks the stillness of the anime, but this version is clearly made for a Western audience (it’s mostly all in English, with British and American actors, including Colin Salmon) who prefer action to contemplation. And there is no shortage of action when Saya gets her katana out. The cinematography in this version is a lot more vibrant than the muted palette of the anime, which gives it a lot more warmth. If I had one small complaint, it is the blood. If a film is called BLOOD, it would have been better to make it more realistic rather than using a CGI substitute. I know it gives the filmmakers a lot more control and they can make it look spectacular, but even the lowest of budget movies can get the old syrup and cochineal flowing and splattering to great effect. Apart from that, it is a great-looking piece of escapist entertainment that makes a worthy companion to the anime, which is no mean feat in the world of animation-to-live-action movies.
BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE is out on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday 2 November 2009 from Pathé and can be ordered from Play.
After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to show the movie at SCI-FI-LONDON we are going to make it up to you. We have five copies of the movie on Blu-ray to give away, courtesy of Pathé. To be in the draw to win a copy click on the link below. The competition closes on 15 November 2009.
© 2009 Pathé Productions Limited. All Rights Reserved
© 2009 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved