Directed by Chris Nahon. Stars Gianna Jun, Kato Koyuki, Allison Miller and Liam Cunningham. Continuing.

You would expect a lot more from the same producer who gave us Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but this one’s a dud from the get go. Here’s a film that is aesthetically perfect, in synchrony with a fast-paced action pace, but everything else fell short—too short. Although the opening scene was enthralling with its spellbinding cinematography and great action sequences, the rest of the film simply petered off into oblivion.

Saya (Gianna Jun) is a part vampire, part human, living in post WWII Tokyo, engaged by a group of hush-hush black suit Americans to wipe out all demons from the earth. She kills the demons while a “Council” provides her with what she wants—blood and revenge. Saya has a personal agenda sparked off by an old grudge with Onigri (The Last Samurai’s Kato Joyuki), the most powerful vampire who killed Saya’s father years ago. We all know that action films have basically zero plot, but the concept of age-old grudges and the ultimate killing of demons just comes across as thin and lacking in this one.

Casting wise, everyone seems to be out of their depth. Indeed, acting and dialogue are Blood’s major downfall. Jun was pedestrian and even OTT in her role (especially during the fight scenes), although Koyuki fared a tad better. Her beauty and presence exuded coldness that went well with a role that needed to send the shivers. But her beauty proved to be too distracting after a while, and no, it didn’t make up for the film’s overall lack of a real story (or anything else, for that matter).

Blood: The Last Vampire fails on all counts—you’re better off watching reruns of Blade, Dracula and better yet, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.—1 star by Andrea Lin