Subspecies: The Awakening

I d'know, this one just didn't grab me like the wonderful second and third films of the series. Maybe I'm not quite sure the crossover with Full Moon's other fang epic, "Vampire Journals", worked smoothly, or maybe I'm reacting to the loss of several of the series regulars. But Huff and Hove are again just terrific as Michelle and Radu, with Ion Haiduc reprising the likable role of Lt. Marin (with a twist!); and the creepy Vitalis Institute, where vampires are strapped to tables and experimented on like lab rabbits, is a nasty notion indeed.

The big payoff of this one for fans of the series, though, has to be Radu's unswerving devotion to Michelle, and seeing it *finally* returned by her, however briefly. Michelle desires to be cured of her vampirism but is terrified by the Institute's agonizing treatments, and Radu, hearing her psychic cry for help, instantly shadows to her rescue. The moment in which he appears like an avenging spirit at the Institute's gate and swears, like Mick Jagger's Satan, to "lay your souls to waste" unless his fledgling is released, is simply magnificent. The real gem, though, is Michelle's own response on realizing she was used as bait to lure Radu into a trap. If you're like me and have been agonizing over their relationship through the first three movies, respecting her but aching with sympathy for her spurned paramour, you will just stand and applaud when you see and hear what she does. OK, it doesn't last, but it wouldn't be in character for her if it did; and for that moment I forgave her a lot of her past offenses against one of my all-time favorite vampires.

This ending sure looks final, but check out Ted Nicolaou's comments in the attached "FM Videozone"! There's hope!

(Postscript: by now we know that the term "Subspecies" refers not to vampires but to Radu's little blood-born servitors, who are responsible for several very timely rescues. We only know that, though, because we read the tape boxes/laserdisc sleeves; they're never called that name by anyone in any of the movies, and indeed are scarcely noticed or referred to at all. Wouldn't you think that if they're deemed important enough to name the entire series after, they should've gotten a little more attention by now?...)

Bloodstorm: Subspecies 4, the 4th installment to the Subspecies series, will be a welcome viewing to fans of the first three subspecies pictures. Anders Hove returns as the drooling Radu, as does Denise Duff as Michelle. The setting again is in Romania and Michelle has been taken under the care of a doctor who promises to cure her of her vampirism. Ted Nicolaou is at the directing helm once again and does a satisfying job creating the dark and chilling ambience needed to carry the film along. He also incorprates the character of Ash from his previous years effort, and much less successful, "Vampire Journals". Hove gives another classic and memorable performance as Radu. The audience, yet again, is bombarded with the images of Radu's messy blood feasting and blood slurping. Denise Duff's return as Michelle is well done and she gives a believeable performance as the "tortured vampire" that we have come to know in so many vampire movies over the last 15 years. Nicolau should be applauded for his attempt in bringing a very competent and entertaining Vampire anthology to the screen. Bloodstorm is must viewing for Subspecies fans, and horror fans, alike.

I admit, without shame, that I'm a big fan of the first three Subspecies films. They're tacky, exploitative, silly movies, but somehow they transcend these typical limitations of straight-to-video horror. Writer-director Ted Nicolau elevates the material with some thoughtful dialogue and characterization, and he uses Romanian locations and folklore to create a truly unique and compelling universe for his vampire films.

That said, he trips up a bit with Subspecies 4. Whereas Nicolau's previous vampire films had a rather polished look, considering the budgetary restrictions he labored under, this movie is crass-looking all the way, right from the silly montage-o-clips opening credits. The lighting, SFX, and set design are a noticeable step down from previous Subspecies films, and a huge step down from Nicolau's exceptionally slick-looking effort "Vampire Journals." I can only assume that Full Moon, or one of its descendant companies, was pretty low on cash when it came time to make this final entry in the series.

The film has plenty of problems that have nothing to do with the scarcity of cash, though. Our heroine, Michelle, is sidelined for too much of the story, leaving the campy Dr. Blood and his comely companion to carry the movie. These new heroes simply aren't charismatic enough to replace Michelle or her buddies from Subspecies 2 and 3. Even the mighty Radu has a diminished role, as he spends much of his time slinking about in a death robe and looking really old. On the whole, the movie simply lacks verve - the characters are static, and so is the action. And the actors have visibly aged, despite being immortal members of the undead realm! How depressing.

I do enjoy the middle of the film, though. Things pick up when Ashe begins to conspire against Radu, and Michelle's surprise rescue of her master is great stuff. But it collapses again at the end, when Radu is slain too abruptly and too easily. I think it would be more interesting if Michelle actually became his ally at last; if she's not going to be the hero anymore, she might as well be another villain.

Still, this is a cut above the norm for the genre. It's perhaps just too depressing for me; a lot of nice characters are killed off right away, and Michelle descends into complete vampire savagery. "Dark" is the operative word here - also "cheap." And "anticlimax." It's a shame they never got around to making Subspecies 5, which I believe was intended to be a period piece about Radu's origin.

I will admit that I am a fan of the Subspecies Series to start with. The enjoyable movie was greatly added to with the Commentary tracks on the DVD. The director, Ted Nicolaou, was surprisingly candid about the problems with the Site, budget, and some actors. Denise Duff's commentary was funny and at times a bit sarcastic. This movie looks much better than the other movies, I don't know if it was the production or because I was viewing it from a DVD. LOTS of blood and twisted humor.

I couldn't believe that Ted Nicolaou could resurrect the evil master vampire Radu one more time and make it work, but he did it! Continuing directly after part 3 left off, Radu goes off to Bucharest to claim his old stronghold from his old fledgling Ash and reclaim his reluctant fledgling Michelle. An awesome movie incorporating Vampire Journals and Subspecies lore. A must see!