When it's over, "Blade II" will likely satisfy. Ignoring the few obvious missteps and just soaking up the action should be able to get you through this one unscathed. The action is just as well done as it was in "Blade" and the fights last even longer this time out. It's rare that you'll see brawls like this captured on film. (*** out of *****)

Changing the aspect ratio from 2.35:1 to 1.85:1 (though the back of the DVD case would make you believe otherwise), "Blade II" doesn't look nearly as good as its predecessor and that DVD is six years old. Heavy grain is the major culprit, certainly more noticeable than that of the original. Credit is certainly due for keeping the compression under control when the movie is soaked in both red and blue hues, but the grain continues to annoy. The sharpness of the picture is retained, but it's not enough to counter the major problem. (***)

Though it doesn't look any better, "Blade II" sounds miraculous. One of the rare discs to feature a rich and underutilized DTS ES 6.1 track, this disc is a home theater fanatics dream. Those without the proper equipment can still indulge in a nice 5.1 EX mix. Bass is rarely this powerful and this is one of those discs that should come with a warning label. There's little doubt that a few subwoofers have met their fate due to the movies brutal techno soundtrack. Elsewhere, sound flows freely through all six (or five) speakers perfectly complementing the on-screen mayhem. Separation is flawless. (*****)

Another entry into the "New Line Platinum" series, this is one of the most thorough DVD's on the market. Things start over on disc one with two commentary tracks. First up to the mic are director Guillermo Del Toro and his producer Peter Frankfurt. You'll get to hear how Whistler returns by the way, but it would be better not to have known. Second is Wesley Snipes and writer David Goyer. An isolated music track is available too.

Disc two, as usual, holds all the fun stuff starting with a whopping 83-minute documentary called "Blood Pact." As if that wasn't enough time to cover everything, it branches off into another 18-miutes worth of supplemental material. Everything can also be viewed via chapter stops. If there's still something you don't know about this film after watching that, there's still plenty more to go.

Six sequences get the breakdown treatment. You'll start with the original script, move to the shooting script, look at the on-set action, see the special effects get worked in, and then finally see the completed shot. The visual effects section is broken down into three sections. "Synthetic Stuntmen" looks at how the effects team brutally butchered the CG shots (though they honestly believe they broke new ground). "Digital Maw" is another look at the CG effects, this one looking at the Reapers unique eating habits.