Every actor turns in my favourite performance of their career, but it's Paxton and Henriksen that steal the film. Severen is a million miles away from that sniveling grunt Hudson, and a genuine blood-sucking psychopath. And while I love Bishop, Henriksen is indescribably awesome here. I've always hoped a prequel would fill in Jesse's backstory, but it's never happened.
There are so many great lines in Eric Red's script, too. Even beyond the one liners, there's a poetry and rhythm that you don't find very often. And you'll find no mention of vampires either, which just adds to the charm. I can forgive the mildly crap "cure" that presents itself later in the movie, because everything else works so well.
It's all set to a magnificent Tangerine Dream soundtrack. Maybe it's dated a little, but frankly I don't care; it's perfect. Incidentally, it's one of the first CDs I ever bought, and for a while the only thing I would listen to.
Near Dark is unquestionably director Kathryn Bigelow's finest hour. It's looks stunning throughout and of all the films I've seen has left one of the strongest visual impressions. There are so many amazing shots - Caleb feeding from Mae's wrist; the family, out for the hunt, lined up in the misty moonlight; daylight streaming through bullet holes in motel walls; Caleb smoking as he tries to get home; vampires bursting into flames.
It's iconic, plain and simple. Near Dark is the finest vampire movie of modern times.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
No "Love at First Bite"?