Blood: The Last Vampire

Based on the animated film, TV series and manga books, Blood: The Last Vampire tells the story of Saya, the alleged last living vampire whose been hired by a secret organization to defeat evil creatures. Depending on which version of the story your invested in, the details vary slightly from medium to medium. The film version opens with Saya hunting down a "bloodsucker" for The Council, which appears to be a secret department of the CIA. She infiltrates a US Air Force base to discover the whereabouts of several more bloodsuckers. From there, she meets an American teenager who witnesses Saya's attack on two bloodsucking classmates and the two join causes to defeat the evil chiropteran creatures.

Now, I have never seen the animated film or the TV series or read the manga books or played the video game. I came at this film with virgin eyes and so it's terribly possible that elements of the characters and story were lost through my ignorance. Although I cannot say for sure, the film producers have either assumed the audience is well versed in the mythology or that they have simply overlooked basic plot points to create a sensible film. Either way, it does not make for a good film and I left the theater feeling completely unsure about what I had seen.

Why does the film take place in the 1970s? Why is Saya battling these creatures? What are these creatures? How did she become a vampire? Why is she the last vampire? Where are her fangs or fear of the sunlight? Why are the CIA involved? How did they come to know Saya? Are they even CIA? Why was the American girl attacked? How did Saya know that her attackers were the evil creatures she was looking for? These are but a handful of questions that I had and if anyone can answer them for me, I'd be much obliged.

On top of the awful story, the dialogue had about as much flavor as wet cardboard. The acting was rather flat, the special effects were distracting and felt rather dated, the quick editing would make even the most accustomed viewer feel a little nauseous. The only thing the film may have had going for it was its subtle 70s set design and Hang-Sang Poon's cinematography (Kung Fu Hustle) that offered the film a sense of desperately needed gravitas.

As this was my first introduction to the character of Saya, I know nothing about what a live-action film about her should look and feel like. That being said, I cannot recommend the film one way or another to fans of the books, games and TV series. I certainly cannot recommend it to the casual viewer who, I can only imagine, would be just as confused and disappointed in the film.

With vampire's all the rage these days, there's bound to be a few that should have never left the casket. For fans of Saya, see it at your own risk. For the rest of us, stick with Buffy.

** (out of five)