Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm

source: Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm

source: Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm

Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm_720p(480P)

source: Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm

... this was such a mediocre conclusion to such a great vampire series. Yes, once again, I AM called "SubspeciesRaduFan," but even I have to admit that this is where the series is at its weakest point. Anders Hove is a still a great actor and a terrific evil vampire (even better than Bela Lugosi or Christopher Lee, IMO), but his demise was way too final. So, here's a short summary: Rebecca and Mel drive Michelle and some girl who was rescued from Radu in the previous film away from the castle. Along the way, they get into a car crash, and everyone except Michelle (obviously, since she's a vampire) dies. Meanwhile, Radu is resurrected yet again after suffering a triple vampire death of silver bullets, sunlight, and impalement on wood. The car wreck is discovered by a young woman named Ana (Ioana Abur), who takes Michelle to Doctor Niculescu (Mihai Dinvale), who says he'll modify her vampirism so she can go out in the sun, but he has a secret agenda of his own. Radu seeks the help of his fledgling, Ash (Jonathon Morris) and Ash's fledgling Serena (Floriela Grappini) to get the Bloodstone back and to save Michelle. I was warned to stay away from this one, but I bought "Subspecies: The Epic Collection," and I just couldn't avoid it. All the other films were great, so I neglected the warning. Besides, I already made plans to see it. The movie wasn't bad, but it was unsatisfying and mediocre. Plus a lot of the eroticism and Gothic atmosphere was taken away. Never thought I'd rate a Subspecies movie this, but ... 5/10

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.

"Subspecies: The Awakening" is a good fourth part in the "Subspecies" franchise. Radu Vladislas is most bloody and he is looking for his lovely victim. New vampires are introduced and the script is interesting, the cinematography is fine and the Romanian filming locations are cool. This film is a different vampire film, darker and gothic. A good direct-to-video film.

...I must say, the Subspecies series is one of Full Moon's better series of pictures. It was kept dark and gothic and bloody. I was not as happy with this one as I was 2 or 3. Which, were made 6 years previous to this one. I do feel the elapsed time helped make the movie less enjoyable. This one picks up after 3, and in my opinion, Radu was dead in 3. He was impaled on the tree after he was burning from the sun. This ressurection just wanted us to throw too much to the winds and just except Radu was back. Still a good, stylish movie looking forward to 5 later this year. 8 out of 10

I remember heard about how great are the vampire subspecies saga, and in fact the first three movies are great. Low budget films with a simple but good script and good acting. But nothing is forever, except the good acting of Anders Hove of course, the rest it's less than a shadow of the other movies. The acting of rest of the cast including Denice Duff is pathetic. There are many new good elements, but it doesn't fit well with the very bad acting of almost every member of the cast. In the end the director lose the good chance to make a very original sequel with something almost identic to the other previous movies. A real big shame.

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.