Vampires is the best film from the 3rd (and final, so far) age of director John Carpenter. From 1990 omwards, JC's films changed. His recent cinematographer Gary Kibbe had finally developed a photographic signature that was totally flat and devoid of style. Also, Carpenter stopped collaborating with long-time musical partner Alan Howarth. Plus he increasingly lacked the ability (or the will) to critique the effectiveness of his own storytelling.
The result; dull, amaturish films to look at and listen to. Once his movies were drenched in a primal edginess, now they were drained of atmosphere and tension.
Perhaps the best movie from this period is Vampires, starring James Woods as typical Carpenter anti-hero Jack Crow. Kibbe has clawed his way out of the stone age to photograph a movie that is at least pleasent to look at, and befits it's 'western' setting. As composer, his partnership with blues and rock artists on the score provides a rich and strongly themed soundtrack, if not quite the classic scores of the past. Unfortunately, it's over-edited, JC trying to up the tempo of the piece...which drags the movie down, robbing it of his trademark, long-duration shots.
But most importantly, the film is cinematic..and feels like a Carpenter flick. It's a western. There is minimal dialogue and John Ford influenced male bonding. And the visuals and music tell the story, not yammering characters. Woods impresses as the violent, foul-mouthed Crow. Its a pitty he didn't do more, action-man leading roles.
Not much is added to Vampire lore here, but thats beside the point. As a reworked Western, its pretty good.
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