Vampires (US)

6 / 10
2 votes cast
Rate this item

From the master of terror comes a new breed of evil
Certificate: R
Running Time: 107 mins
Retail Price: $19.95
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie

Synopsis:
Forget everything you`ve ever heard about vampires, warns Jack Crow (James Woods), the leader of Team Crow, a relentless group of mercenary vampire slayers. When Master Vampire Valek (Thomas Ian Griffith) decimates Jack`s entire team, Crow and the sole team survivor, Montoya (Daniel Baldwin), set out in pursuit. Breaking all the rules, Crow and Montoya take one of Valak`s victims hostage.

The beautiful but unlucky prostitute (Sheryl Lee) is their sole psychic link to Valek, and through her senses they will track down the leader of the undead. As Valek nears the climax of his 600-year search for the Berbers Cross, Jack and the new Team Crow do everything humanly possible to prevent him from possessing the only thing that can grant him and all vampires the omnipotent power to walk in the daylight.

Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Web Access
Photo Gallery
Theatrical Trailer

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Pan & Scan 1.33:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 French
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 English

Subtitle Tracks:
French
English
CC: English

Directed By:
John Carpenter

Written By:
Don Jakoby
John Steakley

Starring:
Maximilian Schell
Thomas Ian Griffith
Sheryl Lee
Daniel Baldwin
James Woods

Casting By:
Eddie Dunlop

Soundtrack By:
John Carpenter

Director of Photography:
Gary B. Kibbe

Editor:
Reuben Cannon
Edward A. Warschilka

Costume Designer:
Robin Michel Bush

Production Designer:
Thomas A. Walsh

Producer:
Sandy King
Don Jakoby

Executive Producer:
Barr B. Potter

Distributor:
Columbia / Tristar

Your Opinions and Comments

6 / 10

A main theme in this movie is that "crosses won`t save you". Well, that`s true. Furthermore, even crosses won`t save this movie from its horrible self. It`s a dumb, ill-scripted, grotesquely gory and totally not scary vampire movie. I don`t know what James Woods was thinking when he agreed to star in this excuse for a movie.
The video transfer is ok. Both the widescreen and the fullscreen versions have no compression signs, and while the movie has several gory (yet cheap) moments, they are contrasted with some beautiful shots of sunrises, dusk and sunsets.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is good. The surrounds are used occasionally for some vampire noises and the musical score is effective on occasions.
The menus are all still.
The extras include a commentary. That`s all.
Bottom line - forget it - a really REALLY bad vampire movie. Seek your blood-suckers elsewhere.

posted by Zvi Josef on 21/6/2001 22:49

5 / 10

Feature:

Nice try from Carpenter, but what is happening to him from directing great films like the thing and Escape from NY to directing crap. James Woods gives an average performance as the script wears him down. Crap performances from every one else Alec Baldwin being the worst. Another thing is that it is too violent and too gory, the effects are also very cheap. Come on John give us a decent film!

Sound:

Good

Picture:

Good

Extras:

Bugger all, apart from a commenatry by John Carpenter, which is interesting but do we really care?

posted by the_film_king on 6/8/2003 22:48