Rise (2007)

Director:

Sebastian Gutierrez

Writer (WGA):

Sebastian Gutierrez (written by)

Release Date:

6 July 2007 (Turkey)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Thriller

Plot:

Supernatural thriller in which a female reporter wakes up in a morgue to find herself a member of the undead. She vows revenge against the sect that put her there and hunts them down.

Plot Keywords:

Implied Lesbian Rape | Prostitute | Caged Human | Investigative Reporter | Profanity

Cast

Robert Forster	...	Lloyd
Cameron Richardson	...	Collette
Lucy Liu	...	Sadie Blake
Allan Rich	...	Harrison
Samantha Shelton	...	LA Weekly Editor
Kevin Wheatley	...	Ethan Mills
Margo Harshman	...	Tricia Rawlins
Cameron Goodman	...	Kaitlin
Holt McCallany	...	Rourke
James D'Arcy	...	Bishop
Carla Gugino	...	Eve
Michael Chiklis	...	Clyde Rawlins
Paul Cassell	...	Detective Easton
Mako	...	Poe
Sam Cooper	...	Coroner's Assistant

Also Known As:

Rise (USA) (working title)
Rise: Blood Hunter (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong horror violence and gore, sexuality, nudity, language, and brief drug use.

Runtime:

122 min (unrated DVD version) | USA:94 min

Country:

USA | New Zealand

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:18 | New Zealand:R18 | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-18 | Australia:MA (2007) | UK:18 | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Malaysia:18SG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mandate Pictures

Trivia:

This was Mako's last live action film. TMNT (2007) used recorded dialog Mako had performed, making it a voiceover role.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the detective is talking to Sadie after zipping up her jeans, the blade on her necklace is visible and clearly sitting to one side of her neck. In the next shot of her, it is hidden, and in the following shot it is visible again.

Quotes:

Sadie Blake: [asking Clyde to kill her] Finish it. I can't live unless I kill, and I can't live that way.

Lucy Liu vamps it up.

Lucy Liu stars as Sadie Blake, an intrepid reporter who comes a cropper when she pokes her nose too far into the world of a strange vampiric goth cult. None too keen to have their story told, they abduct the news-hound and suck her dry, dumping her body when finished.

But Sadie is a tough girl and refuses to just keel over. Instead, she joins the ranks of the undead, and sets out to get revenge on those responsible for her current state.

Director Sebastian Gutierrez presents a refreshingly different take on the whole vampire schtick with this low budget shocker that is both bloody and innovative (these vampires may lack fangs, but still pack plenty of bite). Great cinematography, an engaging story, and a decent cast all go to make Rise: Blood Hunter worth seeking out, although the gimmicky use of a non-linear storyline is a little unnecessary (so many films seem to use this idea these days).

A strong, sexy performance from Lucy Liu means that the film is never boring, although, at times, it does come across as a little too earnest for its own good. At times, Gutierrez strives so hard for an effectively moody atmosphere to suit his tale that the resulting gravitas detracts from one's enjoyment. Fortunately, Lucy Liu sees fit to shed her clothes at several points in the movie, so everything balances out nicely in the end.

If you love vampire films of all types, adore Gothic fantasy, or, like me, just want to see Ms. Liu in the buff, then Rise: Blood Hunter is recommended viewing.