Tödliche Lippen

When I found this film in my local videostore I expected it to be another cheesy American vampire film in the same vein of "The Lost Boys"(1987).To my surprise "To Die for" is a really good movie.It's a little bit corny at times,but still there are enough stylish set-pieces and surprises to satisfy vampire enthusiasts.This is a perfect mix of romance and horror and it's surprisingly gory at times.Highly recommended.

This is a very underrated vampire movie. I think it was one of the best vampire films ever made. It has a great cast (Brendan Hughes is just so sexy), good acting, a traditional, but different story, it has everything. The only thing I did not like about this movie was that SOME, not all, of the death scenes are cheesy. This movie was very romantic and when you watch it, you feel hypnotized. I strongly recommend this movie to everyone!

Having read another review, I thought this movie would actually be good. I do enjoy the "B" movies, but this couldn't even be classed as such. The photography is probably the only half-way decent thing in the movie. But the editing left much to be desired. It was very choppy and staccato. Whoever chose the music and sound did a terrible job. The music was awful, specially anything atmospheric or scene setting. If the acting had been better, they could have pulled the movie off. Unfortunately, I've seen better acting in porn flicks. If you want to see a "B" vampire movie, check out 'Blood Ties'. You'll be much more entertained.

The pacing of this movie was much too slow (it takes a full 3 minutes just to start), and, aside from the initial meeting at the party, you can pretty much skip ahead to thirty minutes in without missing anything important. However it isn't until halfway through that things get more interesting. Vlad's old nemesis livens up an otherwise plodding storyline.

Special effects wise, some of the scenes are quite gruesome, while others are cheesy. The monster-like vampire design is unappealing and adds nothing to the story. Indeed, all the mysterious vampire attack scenes feel like they are from a different movie all together. The castle facade looks horrible by day light, and there being only one such scene,you get the idea they didn't realize that till it was too late.

The acting is also uneven, sometimes cheesy and overdone, sometimes compelling. (The actress playing Cici did evil rather well) The investigators/cops were completely pointless, doing little more than being scene filler.

The ending is much to melodramatic.

That being said, I don't think it's a bad movie, but do yourself a favour and multi task while it's on!

The above line, one of the last in the movie, is just so poignant it pretty much sums up the film. Colossally underrated vampire flick that is long on style and quite touching romantically. It should never have worked so well.

Well up there with FRIGHT NIGHT, THE LOST BOYS and NEAR DARK, how such a low-budget movie with a mega-young brit actor, towering barely 5'7" in built-up shoes, standing in as Vlad the Impaler, could work so well, is staggering. It is I suspect a combination of the avant-garde script, outstanding (at times) cinematography and charismatic performance from pretty Sydney Walsh that does it. The brilliance of this film is set right from the opening scenes, whose significance becomes crystal clear later on. Miss Walsh, so reminiscent of a very young Sigourney Weaver here, hits exactly the right note as feisty real estate rep Kate Wooten, who is swept off her feet by cashed-up young client Vlad Tsepsh who for his part, responds to her charms with a rare reluctance.

Just so much to pull out of this wonderful film. The antagonism between Vlad and his brother, the sparkling repartee between Kate and Vlad and the retro ending just so unusual in vampire films. Equally as good as a love story as a horror film. It works a treat on both scores! One cannot pass over the excellent soundtrack either, most notably Rod Stewart's great contribution during the on-board boat party at the very beginning of the film, when Kate is mesmerised by Vlad's intrusion into her life.

Interestingly, Brendan Hughes resurrected the exact same characterisation in HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS which left for dead the previous four sequels!