Subspecies III: Bloodlust

I'm quite surprised at myself for having not watching this Charles Band Full Moon Features production before and have quickly become a fan of the Subspecies series of films. I think what I like most about the series is that the vampires here are neither the Bela Lugosi elegant gentlemen type, nor are they the emo Anne Rice/Sookie Stackhouse type of vampires. The vampire Radu is a nasty scary looking monster. In many ways, he reminds me of the Steve Niles vampires in "30 Days of Night." In this third installment, Radu is still controlling one of the sisters from the previous film and her other sister is trying to free her from Radu's thrall. As with the previous films, this was competently directed by Ted Nicolaou, who makes the most of the European locations and the real-life castle that was owed by Band's production company at the time (and which appeared in just about every Full Moon film of this era, even one misguided Trancers film). Anders Hove continues to be creepy as Count Radu, the practical special effects are solid (and bloody), and the production values are better than most Full Moon productions. Overall, this one is a must see for fans of Charles Band films, but honestly this film is probably not one for non-fan of Full Moon Features.

Just edges out S2 as my favorite in this hugely entertaining vampire series, mostly on the strength of Anders Hove and Denise Duff's performances. Same basic plot: Rebecca and her Fearless Vampire Stalkers continue where they left off, in pursuit of her sister Michelle, Radu, and the Bloodstone; while Radu tries futilely to gain the love and loyalty of his adamantly defiant "fledgling", Michelle.

Hove has completely sounded the depths of Radu's character and his portrayal of this tragic monster is poignant and heartfelt. Unable to command his headstrong protégé's fealty to the master she refuses to acknowledge, unable to win her heart with gifts or intimate displays of trust, Radu's despair is utterly human, yet he never turns on her. Despite his constant praise of pain and suffering, his deathly face conceals a heart capable of loyal and true love.

As for Denise Duff as Michelle, she is probably the coolest vampiress EVER, and if it not for Radu would no-doubt be the star of this series. The Subspecies movies deserve acclaim for their strong female characters, and Michelle is the toughest, a determinedly human woman who resists becoming a vampire with every fiber of her strength and will. At the same time, we see her grow in undead power and skill, and realize that if she keeps control of the Bloodstone - with which she can resist the need to kill - she'll become an immortal to reckon with. Her scenes with Radu are really something to see, as the two vampires match wills eye-to-eye again and again, and she forces Radu to blink every time.

Their story is truly "Beauty and the Beast" without the happy ending, and indeed it's hard not to think of that classic story in the sequence where Michelle begs to see her sister just one last time. Like the Beast, Radu is unwilling to let his "pretty one" go, but gives his permission, hoping to prove his love by a gesture of faith in her; and just as in the fairy tale, his hopeful gesture has sad consequences. The look on his face as she sweeps past him while he pleads for her devotion could bring a tougher fan than me to tears. --These are some of the best characterizations in modern vampire film, and among the very few that I really care about.

Once you see this you will NEED to see #4!

I was fortunate enough to watch the third installment in the "Subspecies" franchise back-to-back with the previous two movies, making a whole evening out of it. And it was interesting to find out that parts II and III were also filmed back-to-back.

Again, this is a direct continuation of the events that transpired in "Bloodlust: Subspecies II" and continued where part II left the audience. This is really something that is unique and definitely is a defining event for the franchise.

"Bloodlust: Subspecies III", like the previous two movies, while being in the horror genre, is not a movie that is made to scare the audience or gross out the audience with over-the-top special effects and ways to kill or maim characters. No, again, this is about character development and about story progression. Those are factors to the franchise that I immensely enjoy and it make for some very good entertainment.

Needless to say that Anders Hove carries the movie phenomenally as he did with the previous two movies. He definitely puts so much energy and personality into the Radu character and makes it for a very memorable character in the vampire genre.

"Bloodlust: Subspecies III" makes for good entertainment, and it is delivering a straight forward storyline and script, much alike the previous two movies. There are little surprises or plot twists along the way, but the previous two movies weren't known for that either. The introduction of Bob, a soldier of fortune-like character, seemed very forced and misplaced in the movie. Especially because the character served very little purpose and was brought to a most sudden and random demise.

If you have watched the previous two movies in the "Subspecies" genre, then you definitely should sit down to watch the third movie as well. "Subspecies" is a gem within the vampire genre.

Still in the thrall of the evil vampire Radu (Anders Hove), Michelle yearns to be taught the skills of the vampire. Meanwhile, her sister Becky tries to free her from his evil clutches, and this time, she has brought some help.

Shot back to back with part two, the "Subspecies" series is one of the better things to come out of Full Moon. Maybe it had creative independence, or maybe the budget was better in that era. I am not sure. But we haven't seen anything this good from Full Moon in a long time.

Others have commented that, despite the low budget, the film is a lot of fun because it doesn't take itself too seriously. That's true. But also, this is legitimately good -- good acting, and amazing makeup. The plot may be a bit silly as it moves into part three (and just wait for part four!) but you have to expect a bit of deterioration with sequels.

Now I know that most of the Subspecies fans prefer the second movie over Bloodlust: Subspecies III, but I think this was actually my favorite of the series. This is where we see a little bit of Radu's weakness and that he can have mortal feelings for another, even love. Weither or not he's in love with Michelle, I think he admires her innocence and beauty, the power she holds over him, she knows it and definitely takes advantage of it, who can blame her, right? But I love how the story goes into Radu, he fears this emotion, understandably, and it blinds him. This is strangely a tragic love story that really intrigues me, it goes from teacher/student to love/hate. Radu though I promise still delivers the good scares like the other Subspecies movies.

Radu and his student, Michelle, are up to a lot, while he teaches her what it means to be a vampire, Radu's mother thinks it's a bad idea to keep her. Michelle's sister, Morgan, will not give up and she will do anything to save her sister's should. Michelle tells Radu that she can never love him, that she hates him and would rather just die instead of being a vampire but Radu wishes for her to stay with him forever.

Bloodlust: Subspecies III is just continuing where the second Subspecies left off. My favorite scene was where Michelle is outside and Radu comes from behind her and she asks what can kill them, the dialog he delivers as well as his expressions, for a low budget film, Anders Hove is a good actor and makes Radu very believable. The scene was beautifully done between him and Denise. This was a fun series to get into, I really have enjoyed it, these are the horror films I've been looking for and would highly recommend them for a good scare.

7/10