Perfect Creature (2007)

This is How Movies Should Be Made

That was an excellent one.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

In a word, Excellent. Why? Have you got all day? To begin with, solid performances by the two stars: Dougray Scott and Saffron Burrows. They do bring a touch of reality in this fantasy/SF movie.Then, the story blows you away. I must confess, I'm no stranger to vampire flicks. I've seen my share of movies pretending to bring light to myths related to vampires. But the perspective shown here is stunning: a parallel reality. A "What If?" idea, very well put together and although there were certain budget limitations their effect will not be sensed in a disturbing manner.Don't expect Nature Born Killers mixed with Underworld and Dracula, because this movie transcends the limitations of these ones.A movie of many contrast (which I leave you the pleasure of discovering), a movie of hope shining through the clouds of misery, and why not a film putting the accent on the idea that nothing good comes without a sacrifice.Enjoy!

I have to admit that I only watched half the movie, that's how it failed to connect with any interest I might have in watching DOUGRAY SCOTT assume a vampire role. Scott's idea of the vampire look is one of dull incomprehension, sniffing the air like a dog and walking through the role like a zombie with nowhere to go.He's at a big disadvantage here because the script and direction leave a lot to be desired. Normally, he's a good enough actor to look as though he has command of a role but this character completely misses any kind of strong interpretation.On the other hand, LEO GREGORY does a fine, snarling job (he can scowl like nobody else I've seen), a more vicious specimen than his brother. The story starts out effectively and looks as though it's going to have the potential of being a vampire story with a twist--but then gets bogged down into one dull scene after another until finally, as a viewer, I had enough.Whether it picks up steam after sagging toward the middle, I'll never know. And I'll never find out because I don't intend to revisit it.

As the author of THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY, whose definitions often turn conventional wisdom on its head, Bierce may find the alternate reality portrayed here for his Victorian years preferable to that era as he actually lived it. The idea that people would go to church simply to donate blood toward the substantiation of their big-as-life guardian angels (aka The Brotherhood) doubtless would make more sense to him than any theory of the transubstantiation of an unseen being's blood. The thought that the division between science and religion never occurred would meet with Bierce's conditional approval (though he might find the attendant risks inherent in the Brotherhood's under-the-table genetic experimentation--unchecked by outside religious scruples--troubling). But the Old Gringo probably would be first in line for a ride on a steam dirigible! TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The body of noted American author (An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge) Ambrose Bierce, born June 24, 1842, recently was discovered in total cryogenic hibernation at the back of a Central American warehouse. Bierce is expected to be fully defrosted by late 2049 or early 2050. Based on my 85 previously posted IMDb comments and background in Bierce studies, the author's guardians have commissioned me to review a periodically updated list of films to help guide his future leisure pursuits, with the provision that my comments also be made available to the general public.

A race of genetically enhanced vampires called the Brotherhood has peacefully coexisted with human beings for 300 years. Crazed renegade vampire Brother Edgar (superbly played with frightening intensity Leo Gregory) starts preying on human beings and plans on changing the natural order of things by infecting everyone with a lethal mutant virus. It's up to dour, compassionate vampire Brother Silus (a fine portrayal by Dougray Scott) and tough, but kind-hearted human police captain Lilly (a splendidly hard-nosed performance by Saffron Burrows) to stop Edgar before it's too late. Writer/director Glenn Standring offers a fresh and intriguing spin on the standard vampire premise which eschews the usual bloodsucker lore in favor of cleverly blending elements from the horror, alternate reality science fiction, and police detective action thriller genres into an inspired, arresting and imaginative synthesis. Moreover, Standring relates the absorbing story ate a slow, yet steady pace, maintains a grim'n'gloomy Gothic atmosphere throughout, and still manages to deliver the expected graphic gore and exciting action set pieces. Better still, Standring brings a maturity and intelligence to the material that's admirably adult and sophisticated in its sensibility. Kudos are also in order for the uniformly excellent acting by a tip-top cast: Scott and Burrows do stand-out work in the lead roles, Gregory makes for a lively and formidable villain, plus there are sturdy supporting contributions by Stuart Wilson as the wise, pragmatic head vampire Brother Augustus, Scott Willis as the sarcastic Detective Jones, and Stephen Ure as disgusting toady Frederick "Freddy" Sykes. Leon Narbey's moody cinematography gives the film a nifty gray and grimy look. Anne Dudley's brooding score likewise does the trick. A pleasingly different and creative fright feature.