True, "Rise" is not much of a movie. But Lucy Liu in the part of Sadie Blake, journalist-come-undead-dominatrix? I'm sure not even the pope could resist. Gentlemen, don't give your girlfriends a hard time for not wanting to come along. This is to them as "Dirty Dancing" is to you. Go by yourself or with a couple of like-minded friends for a great night out at the downtown morgue. Small surprise hearts are broken and blood is spilt as slender Lucy fights the forces of evil, loosing not only her life, but also all her clothes in the process. At 38, she is hotter than most twenty-something starlets crowding the Hollywood party circuit. If there's chicks like her in hell, I'll gladly pass on paradise.

I would not call this your normal fantasy vampire story. It doesn't depict the normal horrors of the vampire world as we normally see or hear about from vampire movies or stories. It's a bit slow and tame for a vampire movie but has a lot of big named movie stars like Lucy Lu and Marilyn Manson that add some interesting character elements to the film. Lucy gives her character a very sexy feel, though her character's mind is set on revenge she still gives in to the softness of human feelings of loss and regret. Manson's part I thought was very different, I like it because we know him as a very different person and this role was nothing like anything we know. I credit him for playing something totally refreshing. Though the part might just seem like he's playing a kick back guy running a bar, it was not expected. That's what you want from actors, someone who can play several different roles and be convincing. The film over-all has it lulls; I don't think it would have done well in the theater. It has a potential to do well, if a few unnecessary scenes were removed from the film I think it would be really good and would come together better. As it stands I found it just a tad bit slow.

Decent enough vampire movie which turned out less slick-looking than I thought it would be. "Rise: Blood Hunter" is stylishly put together, gently embracing the film noir genre even. With Lucy Liu in the main lead, showing a lot of skin on more than one occasion, as a reporter-turned-vampire hunting down a sect of the undead. There are some fun cameos by Marilyn Manson and Robert Forster to enjoy. The film did somewhat lack a decent climax at the end, though. Classic vampire lovers might perhaps be disappointed trying this one out, as it's got a more contemporary feel to it instead of the Gothic type of vibe I was expecting.