Vampires: Los Muertos (2002)

The sequel to the John Carpenter film changes Director and cast yet continues with the origional storyline, and whilst I didn't particularly enjoy 'Vampires', I have to say that this sequel is quite a good little effort.

The story begins with vampire hunter Derek Bliss (Jon Bon Jovi) attempting to recruit a team of hunters, in order to rid a Mexican town of it's vampire population. As most of the well known slayers have been mysteriously dying just before Derek contacts them, he ends up working with Zoey, a vampire victim who keeps her cravings at bay via experimental drugs, year old Sancho who's in it for the money, Father Rodrigo, the only survivor of a massacre at a local monastery and freelancer Ray Collins, also doing it for the money.

The film as mentioned earlier continues the origional quest for an ancient artefact that will enable the vampires to walk in daylight although this time the pack are led by female vamp Una (Blade's Arly Jover).

Director (and long time friend of John Carpenter) Tommy Lee Wallace adds a lot of new touches to the vampire sub-genre, some already hinted at in other recent films including the idea of vampirism being contracted sexually and new ways of fighting the infection by various drugs and medical practices.

The film also has some nice visual touches in it's use of slow motion and a nice little touch of CGI that turns into a transition, as well as a couple of little nods to the first film just to keep the fans happy and the overall look and tone of the film is the same too.

OVERALL SUMMARY
A very good effort, moves the potential franchise forward whilst retaining the spirit of the original.