Not often does a sequel come close to the original film it follows. There are only a few exceptions, one of them being Bloodstone: Subspecies II.

In the original Subspecies film, we were introduced to the Vladislav family: the King, Stefan, and the terrible Radu. The film according to Full Moon Pictures is one of the first ever vampire movies to actually be filmed in Romania. The sets were wonderful to look at, and the film was entertaining but lacked some kind of 'spunk'. That 'spunk' has arrived in Bloodstone.

Bloodstone: Subspecies II continues on where the original left off. Danish actor Anders Hove (pronounced Anis Ho-vay) who may be best known to North American audiences in his recurring role on General Hospital as Cesar Faison, reprises his role as the terrible Radu. The other major character returning from the first film is Michelle Morgan who is now played by an entirely different actress. Laura Tate initially played the role of Michelle in Subspecies but now in it's sequel young 'spunky' actress Denice Duff takes it up. Duff isn't the only reason the sequel is superior to the initial film, but it's a main one.

When the film starts to roll, Michelle narrates a brief history of what happened in the first film. Vampirized by the terrible Radu, Michelle hits the road, running as fast as her feet can take her. She ends up in Bucharest, where most of this film will take place.

I was quite skeptical when I initially started watching this film. Radu's quick dispatching of his brother Stefan showed me that not everyone will be returning for this sequel. It was quite obvious that they didn't have the same actor play Stefan in his quick two second death scene. Then Michelle Morgan is shown in the film. My first thought was 'what the heck? Crap, they didn't even get the original actress that played Michelle back for this film. They could at least have cut her hair so she'd look more like her.' My opinions would quickly change in less than fifteen minutes.

Upon arriving in Bucharest, Michelle contacts her sister Rebecca (played by Melanie Shatner, yes, the daughter of William) and gets a room at a local hotel. Being a vampire, she gets caught in quite a deep sleep the next day by the hotel's cleaning staff and sent to the morgue. She escapes en route and is relegated to hiding out in various places, night clubs, cemeteries, antique stores, and the like.

Rebecca shows up and finds out what happened to her sister from a police officer and a U. S. Embassy official. They, along with a scholar named Popescu, try to assist young Rebecca in trying to find/save her sister.

Meanwhile, Radu has come to Bucharest in search of his 'fledgling' Michelle. While in town he visits his 'Mummy' in a local crypt. 'Mummy' is a witch, but I can't really tell if she's a vampire or is intended to be a real mummy. She's a withered old hag either way.

Though the film has its many characters, it's greatness is created by Hove and Duff. Hove has the menacing Radu down. Radu is an original vampire character. Unlike the many ripoffs in film that have come and gone, Radu is quite different. If you enjoy sympathetic Brad Pitt styled vampires, Radu will not be a favorite. Radu has a similarity only to perhaps Max Shrek in the original Nosferatu. Even though he wears his hair long, his pointy teeth and ghoulish appearance make him far from an instant romantic.

Denice Duff has brought a fresh, electric presence to the film. Every time she wakes up from her death-like sleep it's exciting. She jumps, cries, bites and basically is all over the screen performing amazingly. One of my favorite scenes in a vampire film is when Michelle bites her first victim, and then throws it up!

As a team, Hove and Duff have charisma. Radu and Michelle you can't help but want to see hook up together eventually. I know I'd love to see them hunt together and perhaps start a little vampire family.

Another first for Full Moon pictures is the fact that both this sequel and part three were filmed together. Because of this, the ending of the film is a cliffhanger. Suffice to say, viewers cannot just watch part II. Part III is a must see film as well. Both films fit together like one big longer one. Together, they make an even greater viewing experience.

Websites Of Interest:

Full Moon Pictures
http://www.fullmoonpictures.com

Denice Duff
http://www.deniceduff.com

This is part of mrsocko316's 'The Sequel Was Better' write off.

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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older