I enjoyed the original "Dracula 2000". I actually grew to love the film and its blood-sucking lead (Gerard Butler) more through multiple viewings. This straight-to-video sequel, brought to us by the same gentlemen who gave us the first one (writer/director Patrick Lussier and writer Joel Soisson), didn’t top the original in my book, but was a kool sit-down in its own right.

Dracula II (should’ve called it Dracula 2003) moved along at an even pace while sporting impressive production values for a film of its budget. This movie is a "looker" and the style never stopped wooing me. I also got hooked by the intimate story quickly, dug its character-driven nature, got taken aback by the motivational twists and enjoyed the clever use of more obscure vampire rules (all about the seed count…nice!). Toss in there a couple of tight gore howlers, some gnarly visual effects (all about the building jumping), a strong cast (gotta love Sheffer) and a hyper polished directorial coating courtesy of slow motion madman Patrick Lussier and you get a strong straight-to-video offering.

The groovier element for me this time around though was definitely the ultimate badass priest, self flagellator and vampire hunter Ufizzi played by the shamelessly under-appreciated Jason Scoot Lee. The sight of him walking in slow motion, long black coat floating about, with vamp kicking on the fritz was a sight to behold. His slew of "money" weapons also appealed to me big-time. You can’t go wrong with a spiked whip doing damage...trust me, my ex-girlfriend knows all about that and still thanks me to this day for it. Ufuizzi really cranked my dial to the point of wanting the duder to have his own franchise! It’s written all over him! Get to it Dimension Films...instead of that abominable "Suspiria" remake idea (shudders).

I did have some peeves with the film though, the first being the lack of hardcore action. The film never entirely fulfilled the promise of the snazzy Ufuizzi character through the "pow-wow" that should’ve came with his no-bull presence. Apart from the taut opening chase sequence, Ubizzy’s fighting bits were either too seldom, ended too quickly and in one case, happened off-screen (that one pissed me off). I guess budget had something to do with the film not always going "all out" with the action scenarios which it set up. The annoying angry black man character (Kenny played by Khary Payron) also grated me. You know the type...he has his mind on his money and his money on his mind and he’s always pissed for some reason. Somebody should’ve smoked their “endo” instead of always thinking “for da love of da money” in furious anger.

Lastly, although I appreciated that this sequel took a different approach to the fanged one, I was bummed that Drac wound up being tied down for 65 percent of the running time. I wanted to see the man on the loose whopping that human ass...it took way too long for it to happen. At least Stephen Bellington, although no Gerard Butler, gave a charismatic and menacing turn with trendy bleached blonde hair to back him up. In lesser hands, the role could’ve been a bore to watch. Good work tiger!

IMAGE: We get a beautiful 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen image with solid colors and a clean print.

SOUND: The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound came through big-time with the score, in particular, invading my living room hardcore.

EXTRAS:

Cast Auditions (3-12 minutes each): This feature showcases the audition tapes of Brando Roderick (Tanya) / Khary Payron (Kenny) / Diane Neal (Elizabeth) / John Light (Eric) / Daniela Nane (Young Woman). I enjoy features like this, always a hoot to see the actors do their shite to gain that part.

Feature commentary: Writer/Director Patrick Lussier, writer Joel Soisson and effect supervisor Gary Tunnicliffe all come in to partake in this insightful commentary that addressed the crew behind the flick, the locations, the casting, specific shots and much more! An interesting listen.

Rutger Hauer is credited here as playing Dracula-- it seems he’s in one of the future premonitions. I didn’t see the dude because yes, I’m human and I blink on occasions! I hear he plays Dracula in the next sequel as well: "Dracula III: Legacy".

Fangoria.com had this to say about the next sequel: “DRACULA III: LEGACY follows two characters from ASCENSION who hook up and become vampire hunters,” Tunnicliffe continues. “They’re played by Jason Scott Lee, who’s a priest who becomes infected with the vampire virus, and Jason London. The story basically becomes HEART OF DARKNESS as they hunt down Dracula (Rutger Hauer), who has become a recluse". Lee and London are both fantastic; Lee is obviously very physical, and London is just hilarious. In the first film, he’s just an opportunist, and in the second he gets pulled into the world of vampire hunters.