From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1999)

Plot Outline: A gang of criminals head to Mexico in order to rob a huge bank. On the way, one of the gang is bitten by a vampire who then proceeds to bite the rest of the gang and turn them into vampires too. The heist doesn't go according to plan and it's a race against time for the survivors to stop the vampires and the police.

The Review: The original was a highly unique blend of many genres and has turned into a cult classic so it was inevitable that a sequel would be pumped out. Although it is nowhere near as enjoyable as the original, this goofy film doesn't take itself seriously and firmly cements itself in it's B movie roots. The film takes a while to get going just like the original. But in that, the characters were a lot more interesting and there actually characters to root for. Here all of the main characters are criminals so we don't get to feel the same sympathy (as Keitel and his family got in the original being kidnapped and all) for them. Plus the characters aren't as well developed here. Part of what made the original fun was the chemistry between Clooney and Tarantino. Here the characters seem very one dimensional, with the exception of Robert Patrick's character. At least he tries to give it a go and flesh out his character despite the script not doing him any favours. The only worthwhile bit of the script is a discussion about porno films inside the motel. But this doesn't really compensate for the lack of Tarantino's witty script of the original. The special effects aren't that bad here although the bats look very rubbery and old school Hammer-ish. The vampires don't look as convincing as the original but I can accept this due to the obviously lower budget. The finale is also little silly as the vampires trash the cops ala Terminator meets Assault on Precinct 13. But there is plenty of gore throughout the film, lots of violence and some nudity which compensates for the films obvious problems - plus the Titty Twister makes it's return (although Chet Pussy is nowhere to be seen!).

Final Verdict: This is basically an inferior rehash of the original. Gone or watered-down are the things that made the original so successful. But From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money is still quite watchable enough in it's own right.

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