Kate Beckinsale (who belongs in The Matrix with her get-up) plays a vampire "death dealer" who's job it is to eliminate "Lycans" (or Lycanthropes - aka: werewolves) as part of the centuries old war between the two species. Things get even more complicated though when a human who's a descendant of a combition of the two races it targeted by the Lycans who want to use his blood in order to create a super-being. It's up to Beckinsale to protect him while the two clans continue to battle it out.

With a good premise and lots of action sequences this is a slick, but oddly empty, film that's all style over substance. There's lots of great production design, flashy visuals and a good "gothic" feeling to the movie and the idea behind it is quite original but the problem is that all the characters are thin to the point of being non-existant and the execution makes this more of a mindless action/horror film than something that could've turned out quite interesting (and it does pick up a little once the script starts to explain itself).

Beckinsale is certainly a delight to look at in her oftentimes tight leather outfits and the entire thing feels quite similar to the Blade movies; which may be a plus if you like that series - I myself can live without them. There's an extremely cool "sword" moment in the finale and the action moves quickly but you have to wonder why, if both species are more advanced than humans, that most of the battles are fought with guns rather than brute strength/powers.

Less MTV style flashiness and more decent storytelling and this would've been a fun ride; as is it's merely an okay ride that's mostly passable - let's hope the planned sequel is an improvement. (Chris Hartley, 5/7/04)

Directed By: Len Wiseman.
Written By: Danny McBride.

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly.