John Carpenter’s ‘Vampires’ (1998) – Film Review
Is it Vampires or is it John Carpenter’s Vampires? I think actually it’s just Vampires but I can’t help but but introduce this film as ‘John Carpenter’s…’. It sounds right.
Anyway I got the idea of watching it after seeing it advertised on the Horror Channel. My boyfriend and I love watching films of shall we say, occasional ‘kitsch’ value and though I didn’t doubt AT ALL that I’d enjoy Vampires on a real horror appreciating level, I can’t pretend the lure of James Woods playing a master vampire slayer named JACK CROW in a potentially corny Carpenter movie didn’t appeal too. Because it did.
I enjoyed it a lot! More than I thought I would and refreshing is the word. FUN is yet another. Though Vampires was released in 1998 (I was twelve) it definitely has more retro film vibes. I mean 1998 was a year after Titanic came out for gods sake. THREE YEARS after Toy Story. That just seems really weird to me.
There’s that super perfect ‘less than perfect’ feel. No CGI (or hardly anyway) and a corny, rocking soundtrack courtesy of Carpenter himself – clearly the Dennis Waterman of film directors. Vampires just has that un-glossy (for lack of a better word or um, any alternative word) feel. And I loved it.
Plus let’s not forget the presence of James Woods (JACK CROW) fantastically bad tempered, hating everyone and wearing the quintessential vampire slayer outfit – leather jacket, moody expression and sunglasses all of the time.
HELL YEAH.
So the story follows this motley crew of guys who work work alongside the Catholic church killing vampires. They are quickly portrayed as ‘lads’ who work hard and play hard. After killing a nest of vampires in the desert they clap themselves on the backs and hit the booze. Sex and stuff and being really, really smug (like no-one could totally be as hard and sexy as they are) both swiftly follow.
Actually they’re not extremely likable in a lot of ways and I could easily imagine a group of hardcore feminists absolutely hating their guts. But as if they’d care anyway! Dumb fucking whores. And anyway most of this questionable squad get wiped out right at the beginning of the film by top ancient vampire Valek, who is super old, super strong and super powerful.
Leaving it up to James Woods, a Baldwin brother and a young, idealistic priest called Adam (sent from the Catholic church to babysit Woods though that ain’t happening) to find Valek and kill him once and for all. Because they need all the help they can get they also take poor, doomed prostitute Katrina (aka whore) along for the ride – she now shares ‘psychic thoughts’ with Valek since he bit her on the thigh (naughty beast!).
And that’s the plot. With loads of gore and insulting comments thrown in along the way. Seriously, there’s a lot of good dialogue to enjoy. James Woods takes “NO SHIT” and is pretty much movie gold for the entire ride. The lines between him and Adam the Idealistic Priest are particularly fun. Woods’ certainly enjoys winding him up but you can’t help but sense a little bonding between the pair as well. Ahhhh. You guys.
All in all I haven’t really got anything bad to say about Vampires at all. It’s entertaining, amusing, action packed and has a great ratio of blood to humans. Always nice to watch a more traditional style horror movie – a pleasure and so very fun too.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
One of my fav vamp and James Woods films. Got an original movie poster of it, too. Would like to read the novel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That original movie poster sounds brill! Ditto on reading the novel, one of my new year resolutions is to read more 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I m big fan this film also like vampires bitches
LikeLike
I’m a big fan of this film. So much fun.
LikeLike
If you’re interested John Carpenter’s Vampires is based on the novel Vampire$ by John Steakley. I will say, however, that the film diverges quite a bit from the book. So much so that, having first read the book and enjoyed it, I was a little disappointed in the film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Often the way if you enjoy the book, the film never quite seems to live up to expectation does it! Thank you, great fact, I didn’t know. Though it does make sense! Sorry you were disappointed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really should give the film another shot after all these years. Sometimes expectations can ruin things. A book and its film often need to be enjoyed on different criteria.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Give it another go! And yes definitely agreed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve bitten four whores on the thigh. It’s accidentally become my “special move”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Emma, every post from you is a treat. I just found this in my inbox and it lit up my little heart. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your comment lit up MY heart! Thank you so much Jay, genuinely means a lot 🙂 love your posts too!!!!!
LikeLike
I’m not into vampires but I enjoy reading about how they are being portrayed in the movies these days. How different they are from Legosi days !
LikeLiked by 1 person
What about Buffy?!!!!!!!
Thanks Urspo 🙂
LikeLike
Nice to see you back, Em honey!
OK.
John Carpenter. Tick. (He did Assault on Precinct 13, and The Thing!)
James Woods. Tick. (He’s always a ‘tick’)
That says it all.
As ever, Pete. XXX
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tick, tick and tick again! 😀 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an entertaining post. I’d listen to your podcast too if you ever did one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very kind Alex, your support is always so appreciated! Thank you. Nice to ‘see’ you 🙂
LikeLike
Great review! I am taking part in a John Carpenter blogathon, focus on his music…he has a carer of masterpieces, failure, and a lot in between, but as you point out with this film, they are usually a BLAST, so let’s just have some fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds brilliant! Send me the link so I can read some reviews 🙂
Focusing on his music is a really great idea. Agree completely, he has made absolute masterpiece films and um, some rather NOT masterpiece films!! But we love them all the same 🙂 even The Village of the Damned remake ha ha ha.
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting! Yes, any Director who has a long career doesn’t always hit the mark, right? Here is the link: http://dailygrindhouse.com/thewire/big-question-favorite-john-carpenter-score/
LikeLiked by 1 person