REVIEW: ‘Blood: The Last Vampire’ (2009)

Korean superstar actress Jun Ji-Hyun (MY SASSY GIRL) undergoes a new Western name, Gianna Jun, in her English language debut in this live action adaptation of the popular anime which despite a few flaws, fares much better from some of the other adaptations released this year.

Saya (Jun) is a Halfling (half-human, half-demon) demon hunter who has been going after as many demons as possible with her ultimate goal being that of finding and destroying Onigen (Koyuki), the demon who killed her father. When she is hired by The Council, a top secret organization in charge of hiring Saya and cleaning her mess after her work, she goes undercover at a high school on a Tokyo air force base. When she learns that demons lurk around the campus, she finds herself protecting Air Force brat Alice (Alison Miller) from the demons. However, as Saya gets closer to Onigen, dark truths about herself begin to be revealed, forcing herself to choose her fate.

Based on the popular anime, this live action version may suffer from a few flaws here and there, but overall, it is not a bad adaptation. There have been worse adaptations of both anime titles and video games-turned-big screen failures that just don’t take the cake. However, with this film, the producers’ attempt to bring the anime to life is helped by the performances of its international cast. Originally to have been directed by Hong Kong’s Ronny Yu (THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR (1993)), the directing reigns have been given to Chris Nahon, who is best known for directing KISS OF THE DRAGON (2001) starring Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, and Cyril Raffaelli.

Gianna Jun is perhaps best known for her titular role in the Korean hit romantic comedy MY SASSY GIRL (2001). Jun brings the role of Saya to life with both her looks and her ability to perform the very rigorous action scenes. Jun brings the quietness of Saya when not involved directly into action. However, once she unsheathes her trusty sword, she practically becomes a one-woman army in the hunt of demons, or bloodsuckers as they are called in this film. Saya has both a sense of humanity alongside her dark path as a half-demon. At times, her eyes light up red when she is very angry and she becomes a “raging fury”.

Alison Miller brings out a fairly decent performance as Alice, a rebellious Air Force brat who feels alone due to her father’s inability to really raise her as a daughter. Her father, the general in charge of the air force base and puts his work ahead of his relationship with his daughter. Alice is also treated like some celebrities in high school are treated, more like an outsider. She soon finds Saya as her one true friend and Alice eventually goes to great lengths to help Saya.

Liam Cunningham plays Michael, the member of the Council who is the middleman between the Council and Saya. Despite working for the Council, Michael has nothing but respect for Saya and even feels for her as she has no family. In some essence Michael is like either a father figure or even a big brother to Saya. When things get tough, he tries to help her as much as he can. An annoying character in the film is that of Council agent Luke, played by J.J. Feild. He is the typical type of character who thinks he can do anything he pleases and goes to extremes to make sure he gets what he wants, even thinking of turning in Saya for his own personal gain.

Koyuki, coming off her Hollywood debut in THE LAST SAMURAI (2007) opposite Tom Cruise, plays the demon goddess Onigen. She brings a sense of slyness and charm yet at the same time, she brings pure evil to the role. With one touch from her finger, she kills. A shocking revelation comes during the final confrontation between Saya and Onigen and once that revelation is revealed, unless one has seen the anime, it turns out to be quite a twist. Despite coming in about halfway through the film, she still makes quite an impact. Even PUNISHER: WAR ZONE’s Colin Salmon and Masiela Lusha, best known for playing daughter Carmen on the hit sitcom GEORGE LOPEZ, get a little action in as demons disguised as a teacher and a bully student.

Corey Yuen, who worked with director Chris Nahon on KISS OF THE DRAGON (2001), takes the reigns again on action choreography. Here’s the highlight of the film. While adaptation of video games such as STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI (2009) and anime such as DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION (2009) seem to majorly fail in the action department, Yuen knows what he is working with here as this is an adaptation of a horror anime. While people may not like the wirework used in terms of Saya, people will learn that the reason Saya does what she does in terms of flying in the air at times is because she is, after all, a half-demon.

Despite a few too much quick cuts, the film makes up with a nice combination of swordplay and martial arts that are enhanced by some slow motion to show impact and some decent swordfighting on the part of legend Yasuaki Kurata (playing Saya’s martial arts mentor) in a flashback sequence taking on a band of demonic ninjas. Despite the obvious use of CG gore, the fights overall are not too bad. However, the only other flaw is that the finale pitting Saya and Onigen may seem at the first viewing, a little rushed to get a running of time of approximately 90 minutes.

Despite its flaws, BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE is quite a decent adaptation of the anime due to Gianna Jun’s performance, Chris Nahon’s direction, and Corey Yuen’s fantasy action sequence. It is definitely worth at least a rental.