Ultraviolet

Rating:
Summary: A tale of vampire hunters, Non-Buffy Style
Review: This is a tale of a hardened group of vampire hunters and the creatures they hunt... Vampires. This is a British series, filled with psychological suspense and intrigue. Vampires, are REALITY, but just how far has the corruption spread... And just how MANY people are infected? These are just some of the interesting questions posed by six-hour dvd.

As I watched this DVD, I really found myself, intrigued by the vampires and wanted to know more about them. They seemed much more intelligent than your average..."Run at the good guy, fists waving in the air..." type villians. In fact, in one episode, a vampire actually shows compassion, in others, a vampire was show to donate millions of dollars to charities... To protect their food-supply, of course.

I really hope they make another min-serires. This was wonderful and had me sitting on the edge of my seat!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent series and a must see.
Review: This is an outstanding 6 part series. It does deal with vampires as is clearly apparent from the excellent opening credits but the entire concept has been updated to a fully scientific and modern basis on both sides of the conflict. Treatment of the story in this fashion as well as the quality of the acting talent attracted helped the audience to take a show about vampires seriously and attracted a large audience in the UK when it first screened as a result. It bares little resemblance to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (though more so to the main theme of Season 4 of BTVS, when the US government finally takes an interest in the increasingly bizarre things that go on in Sunnydale) but I enjoy both that show and this one for different reasons, don't compare the two as each has different merits. At the time of writing this review, this is supported by the fact that the people who buy these tapes are still buying the Buffy (also an excellent show but a different style of show) boxed video sets in the UK even a year or more after this set was released there.

Episode 1: Habeus Corpus is the best episode.

After an informant turns up dead and his partner Jack (Stephen Moyer) goes missing the night before his wedding, Michael (Jack Davenport) starts investigating his disappearance. This leads to the startling discovery that vampires exist and a secret government organisation is battling them in a shadow war that the public is (mercifully) unaware of. Unwittingly, he finds himself drawn into the conflict as both sides try to use him to gain an advantage over the other side. After an intriguing opening that draws you in, some thrilling action follows and a very explosive finish.

Episode 2: In Nomine Patris

This episode further demonstrates that the battle between the government and the undead is fully grounded in the present day as the team investigates a financial operation that has come to their attention quite by chance and leads to the discovery of some of the plans of their enemy to fight them, both financially and scientifically. Michael also has to deal with the persistent enquiries of his partner's fiancé about his disappearance. She won't accept the explanation of the police, another theme that runs through the course of the series and fits well with Michael's personal conflicts over what he now knows about what is going on. Both sides are utilising the latest in available technology and not a crucifix in sight. A suitably explosive climax that even outdoes the one in the first episode.

Episode 3: Sub Judice

A solicitor is saved by an unseen assailant who murders both her attackers. Given the nature of the event and the complete lack of video evidence despite extensive security cameras, the squad is called in. Not a bad episode by any means, in fact it has what is probably the most dramatic and emotional scene in the entire series. The main problem is that it has nothing to do with the overall 'big picture' of the show, which is the ongoing battle between the two sides. In fact, you could actually skip from the end of episode 2 to the start of 5 and not even notice

Episode 4: Mea Culpa

A stabbing in a school ultimately leads to a discovery of a weapon being developed by the vampires to control the populace. Unfortunately, it takes most of the episode to get to this point and most of the episode is mired in investigating child abuse. The weakest in the series and even though a little more relevant that the previous episode on the ongoing theme, you could also miss it and not notice.

Episode 5: Terra Incognita

After episodes 3 and 4 lost some intensity and drifted off the main theme to varying degrees, the show is back to its brilliant best with this episode. After a man who has arrived from Brazil is found to have a mysterious bleeding disorder, it leads to the discovery of further experimentation and some mysterious containers in the plane's cargo. The best scene in the whole show has one of the team trapped in a warehouse and facing seemingly imminent death. For steadily mounting tension, drama and emotion, you cannot do much better than this episode.

Episode 6: Persona Non Grata

Revelations unfold about what the vampires' ultimate goals are. Things finally come to head as both sides converge on Michael, as he may be the key for both sides to achieve victory. Not surprisingly, he is under a lot of pressure from both sides due to his conflicting beliefs and loyalties that are unavoidably in direct opposition. The conclusion is very dramatic and answers a lot of the questions asked but still leaves things open for another series. Unfortunately, to date there has been no news about that so far, though a pilot for an American version of the show has been made with an airdate yet to be determined. With the airwaves currently cluttered with vaguely similar themes (though mostly involving the supernatural in some fashion), it probably means there may not be room for a full blown series of Ultraviolet in any form in the US at this time. As more time passes since this series first screened, a British follow up to this excellent UK series also seems less likely.

Overall, this has been the best show on television for a long time. Using a measured approach and skillful writing so typical of the best British thrillers, they have taken a theme and made it something you will take just as seriously as any other police drama or thriller. The casting has been excellent, with the involvement of such well known veteran talents as Susannah Harker and the Australian actor Philip Quast, a good performance from Idris Elba as well as up and coming actor Jack Davenport.

It is a show that you cannot afford to miss.

Rating:
Summary: Just couldn't follow it
Review: This is another DVD that I bought entirely on the strength of reviews on Amazon.com, and I have to say I don't share the unanimously glowing opinion of the other reviewers. To be honest, I was never quite sure what was going on. Luckily I knew going in that it was about vampires, otherwise I'd have been even more confused than I already was. Jack Davenport's unbelievably sexy voice made the confusion bearable, however.

It looks good, and I'm sure the acting was good, but I was mystified.

Rating:
Summary: The Undead meet CSI...
Review: This is originally, stylish, intelligent, suspenseful, and overall GREAT ENTERTAINMENT! I LOVE this series! I am devastated that there were only 6 episodes. There is some great spin and orginality to the vampire story here...sort of CSI meets the Undead...One of the team who is working to vanquish the vampires (the word "vampire" is never mentioned...only Code "V", roman numberal being "V"...you figure it out!) is a physicial who uses Ultraviolet light to ascertain vampire blood...and to heal some of the vampire bites. The microscope, lab, and morgue (where the Code "V's" are held after they are destroyed) all provide a new interest to an old story. I highly recommend this--it is intelligent and satisfying viewing. The only downside is--there were only 6 episodes.

Rating:
Summary: Nobody does it better
Review: This is the BBC being very, very cool. And nobody does cool like they do. The whole series is deliciously ambiguous. There's no answer about weather vampires here are good or bad, weather they change and see people as nothing but food or remain mostly human, with human intrests. Is everything they do deliberate and designed to decieve, or do they feel? Everything they do can have two meanings; one human and one completely alien. This lack of answer creates a tension and an alienness in this series that drives it, makes it amazing. I loved it. Plus I liked the whole nifty toys and ideas. But I won't spoil it, you'll have to be surprised adn delighted for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the best, most potent movie of this genre.
Review: This movie is a very British take on the concept of vampires. One of the first things you may notice is that it doesn't use the word "vampire" at all during this series, instead calling them "Leaches" when they use a name at all. This movie also is possessed of a humanity and intelligence that is often lacking in other vampire sagas. This movie will force you to think, so if you would prefer to sit back and passively enjoy a film, then this may not be right for you. However, if you want to be engrossed in a soulful, intelligent, well-written, and well-acted drama, then please do yourself the great favour of purchasing this movie. You'll be glad you did.

Rating:
Summary: A true vampire series
Review: This series is unlike any other vampire series you have ever seen, infact the word vampire is never used. For genuine vampire fans this provides much needed satifaction. The characters are never steriotypical. If anyone has seen the internet vampire chronicles "New Blood" this is the big budget version.

There isn't any buffy in this. It doesn't have a "vampire bad....beer Good, beer Frothy" approach to the subject material.

All I can say is bite it and see.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: This series is what X-Files should have been. It is presented as a perfect mystery, but reasonable answers are available in the end. The acting is outstanding. I was astonished to see the stuffy Commodore Norrington from Pirates of the Caribbean as the sympathetic protagonist here. Jack Davenport is a fine actor. And all the other performances are lovely jobs. My only disappointment is that there are no more episodes!!!

Rating:
Summary: Wicked Cool....
Review: This TV miniseries is incredable! It's slick. I generaly think people who use the word "edgy" to describe things like movies are posers and a bit snobish, so I won't use it, but the music is anxious and somewhat sinister (but really good, not that .... some movies have that's all atonal violins with no melody that just annoys me). The premise is a very well done update of the idea of vamps, with quite a bit more thought and careful craft put into it than many full-scale hollywood productions. I wish they'd make more. It asks questions about morality, and doesn't answer them, and like in real life motivation can only be determined by actions; but also like in life, all actions can have more than one explanation.

I also love the people they picked as actors. They can express so much without moving a muscle, they're stupendous. It has lots of atmosphere and is very understated.

This miniseries really deserves 5 stars. Lots of people who don't really think much of the typical vampire movie will like it; there's no great swatches of blood, no melodramatic hypnosis or supernatural heebie-jeebies going on. These are completely modern vampires, quite conversant with modern technology and medicine, and brilliant at manipulation.

Rating:
Summary: "Your free range days are over."
Review: Ultraviolet is a slick creepy thriller that ventures far from the vampire genre. Fangs, wooden stakes,garlic cloves,crucifixes are not the centerpiece of the weapons used against the "leeches", as one character calls them.{Though all are employed,ingeniously}. The vampires present themselves as a persecuted minority, trying to live in harmony, hunted by the church and its associates. The hunters are a hemotologist, a Gulf war veteran, a London Cop and a priest,all of whom have their reasons{which unfurl brillaintly}. Only the priest never loses sight of what is at stake, for the eternal life offered is rather seductive.The story is multilayered,with political, financial, enviornmental, racial and religious overtones. The ultimate question is are they looking for peaceful co-existence{by creating synthetic blood} or is there something more sinister. This series succeeds on so many levels. The four leads{Jack davenport,Susannah Harker, Idris Elba and Philip Quast} are absolutely on target,each inhabiting their character to the degree that by the 6th episode{two discs], you feel something for these folks. Much of the violence is implied, with very few of the blody scenes usually accompanying this genre.Channel 4 has lived up to its usual brillaint standards. This is cool,creepy and very ,very good. The title refers to a comment made by the priest to the cop early on. It sums up the series well. RExcellent, and damned good fun!!!!!!!