Verdict
Summary
Rise: Blood Hunter is one that I’d say is worth a look if not only for Liu’s performance but also cause of the intriguing story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Plot: A reporter wakes up in a morgue and finds herself a member of the undead, before vowing revenge against the sect which put her there.
Review: To be honest, this was one that I had never heard of until a close friend mentioned it to me fairly recently so I decided to give it a shot.
Rise: Blood Hunter is one of those films that starts a bit shaky at first but gets better as it goes along.
Lucy Liu gives one of her best performances here showcasing a wide range of emotions throughout the film along with displaying a dry wit alongside Michael Chiklis who has some solid chemistry with her throughout. James D’Arcy is a fairly decent villain albeit fairly cliched as you’ve seen this type of villain before. There are also some interesting cameos displayed throughout which caught me by surprise.
The direction for the most part is solid, particularly during the last half of the film showcasing some good atmosphere and tension displayed along with a few brief moments of action.
As I said, the first act was a bit rough to watch especially regarding the use of what I call MTV-stylized editing that to me was unnecessary and felt more like a crutch than anything else.
Overall, Rise: Blood Hunter is one that I’d say is worth a look if not only for Liu’s performance but also cause of the intriguing story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.