| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 11:07 am |
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Entertainment 
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'Blood' lives up to its name, but don't expect a coherent plot With its Japanese setting, its tragic vampire and its incessant fighting scenes, "Blood: The Last Vampire" is manga-mongering at an especially incoherent level.I could provide a clear explanation of the plot only by reading background material on it, and even then I'd have a hard time piecing it together with the film I watched. "Blood" is set in 1970, where an age-old half-vampire is residing in the person of a 16-year-old Japanese schoolgirl. She is played by Korean actress Gianna Jun, who really gets put through the wringer. Her character, Saya, is employed by a shadowy agency devoted to slaying demons, although Saya herself is still dependent on frequent helpings of blood. Apparently, the difference between Saya and her quarry is that she happens to be working for us. Well, that's comforting. There are many, many killings. Saya has an apparently indestructible sword and unparalleled fighting skills, which leaves her swordfights somewhat lacking in suspense. She makes a friend, of sorts, a girl (Allison Miller) who needs a little protection. Well, a lot of protection: Opportunities for blood-letting are frequent. "Blood" is based on an animated film from 2000, which told its story in a mercifully brief 48 minutes. Here, director Chris Nahon, who did the Jet Li vehicle "Kiss of the Dragon," must pad things out with plenty of slow motion and weird computer-generated geysers of blood. The fight scenes are staged by veteran martial-arts choreographer Corey Yuen, but this won't be one of the strongest entries in his portfolio. The problem is not just that Nahon goes the slice-and-dice method of editing things together. It's that sorting out the heroes, villains and motivations requires far too much work, and results in almost no payoff. Even the English-language dialogue gets in the way -- maybe "Blood" should've been in Japanese. When a superhero triumphs with the sword but struggles with the words, it takes something away from the overall dazzle. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
(9) - Vote on school levies by Tuesday (9)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- Life story: Man fought depression courageously, family says (3)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last (2)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (2)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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