This is not so much a sequel to "John Carpenter's Vampires" as it is a remake. No, really, stop and think: Although there has been real effort to add variation to avoid the obvious comparisons, the fact remains that virtually nothing happens in this film that didn't happen in the first. Even the ending is virtually the same! Because the first film was Carpenter's own, and he added a quirky touch of nihilism to the themes of the film (the only force battling the vampires is the Catholic Church, and the Church ain't doing too well, judging by the rowdy team of vampire-hunter's they hired for the job), it left a slightly bitter aftertaste, but allowed Carpenter all kinds of room to twist plot elements in on themselves - ultimately, the Master vampire is somehow more admirable than the team of losers tracking him down - at least he knows what he wants out of life (... er, death).
But here the story is told straight, and without Carpenter's quirkiness, it's just your average run-of-the-mill action film, with lifeless characters. slow moments, banal action scenes. Okay for a Saturday afternoon, but largely forgettable.
Too bad; Bon Jovi and the rest of the cast actually seem to be up for something more. And taking the story down to (still largely Catholic) Mexico could have provided wonderful opportunities for cross-cultural references and twists.
Instead we get, well... the film we were expecting but not the one we were hoping for.
Not even a good miss, just so-so.
But here the story is told straight, and without Carpenter's quirkiness, it's just your average run-of-the-mill action film, with lifeless characters. slow moments, banal action scenes. Okay for a Saturday afternoon, but largely forgettable.
Too bad; Bon Jovi and the rest of the cast actually seem to be up for something more. And taking the story down to (still largely Catholic) Mexico could have provided wonderful opportunities for cross-cultural references and twists.
Instead we get, well... the film we were expecting but not the one we were hoping for.
Not even a good miss, just so-so.