Review of Near Dark (1987) by Sterling B — 03 Jul 2010

Though released the same year as the more commercial 'The Lost Boys,' Kathryn Bigelow managed to deliver the superior vampire movie in 1987. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this film is that Bigelow and her co-writer elected to junk virtually the entire trove of vampire mythology.

These vampires drink blood for sustenance, whereby they gain overpowering physical strength, and they must avoid sunlight exposure, lest they be incinerated, of course. But, that is where the familiar elements end -- there are NO crucifixes, glowing eyes, shape-shifting turns into various beasts, holy water dousings, oversized fangs, coffin nap-times, etc.

If they were not chomping on necks and withstanding gun-shots to the torso, these characters could easily be mistaken for ordinary humans, making it all the easier for them to blend into the night-life.

They also appear looking for any manner of mayhem that will stave off the boredom one who is among the living dead might experience. They kill because it is necessary to their survival, but at the same time they delight in causing destruction.

Bill Paxton gives a stand-out performance as a deranged vampire who enjoys provoking his victims into fits of anger before dispatching with them in violent fashion. The scene inside the bar allows him the opportunity to evidence the danger this group poses to anyone who has the misfortune to cross them.

The gritty, minimalist look works well, although I thought the ending was a bit too convenient. I am certain Bigelow would have filmed a different kind of ending had a larger budget been available to her.

Still, I cannot help but believe scenes in this movie provided a visual reference for directors such as John Carpenter (Vampires) and Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk 'Til Dawn) later working in the same genre.