‘Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust’ Keeps Its Plot Blood Simple

Based on a series of fantasy novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi, the anime feature “Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust” is a baroque, bloody fantasy-adventure that stubbornly remains less than the sum of its parts.

In the distant future, the number of vampires is dwindling because of attacks by Hunters, and the deadliest Hunter is the taciturn D (voice by Andrew Philpot).

The son of a vampire and a mortal, D has dedicated his life to ridding the world of vampires.

When a young woman named Charlotte (Wendee Lee) disappears with vampire Meier Link (John Rafter Lee), her family hires D, the Markus Brothers and tough-talking Leila (Pamela Segall) to bring her back.

A long chase ensues, with the Brothers and Meier’s servants fighting and killing each other, until they arrive at the castle of Carmila, the Bloody Countess (Julia Fletcher).

Although D’s father slew Carmila centuries earlier, her spirit remains, creating often confusing illusions.

Meier escapes with Charlotte--who may be dead or who may have become a vampire--in a rocket hidden within the castle.

The designs for the film are based on Yoshitaka Amano’s highly detailed illustrations for the books. D’s flowing curls, billowing cape and spiky ornaments look terrific when the audience first sees him, silhouetted against the full moon.

But the animators don’t move the designs convincingly. When D duels with Meier atop a speeding carriage, his cape blows in elaborate computer-generated folds, but his hand-drawn face remains rigid, with only the lips moving, reflecting none of the emotions their confrontation generates.

An earlier film based on the same novels, “Vampire Hunter D” (1985), which was released on video in the U.S. last year, suggested an animated Clint Eastwood film: A grim, silent hero rides into town, settles the vampires’ hash and rides away.

“Bloodlust” borrows from the “Mad Max,” “Terminator” and “Star Wars” series, but is much bloodier, with on-screen beheadings, stabbings, impalements and eviscerations. “Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust” will delight fans of violent anime (“Sword for Truth,” “Ninja Resurrection,” among others) but repulse more squeamish viewers.

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MPAA rating: R, for violence and gore. Times guidelines: considerable graphic violence, including violence against women; brief nudity; grotesque imagery.

‘Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust’

D: Andrew Philpot

Meier Link: John Rafter Lee

Leila: Pamela Segall

Charlotte: Wendee Lee

Left Hand: Mike McShane

Urban Vision Entertainment presents a Mata Yamamoto Production of a Yoshiaka Kawajiri film. Producers Mataichiro Yamamoto, Masao Maruyama, Takayuki Nagasawa. Based on a novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi and character illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano. Character designer & animation director Yutaka Minowa. Animation studio Madhouse. Music composer, orchestrator and conductor Marco d’Ambrosio. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

At selected theaters.