Film blends elements of action, horror

Being a big fan of both vampires and Quentin Tarantino, I was pleased to see the two come together in the new film From Dusk Till Dawn.

The film stars Tarntino and George Clooney as Richard and Seth Gecko, two brothers wanted for several crimes across the Southwest. The movie opens with the brothers on their way to Mexico, where they are to meet a man named Carlos who will give them sanctuary. In order to get past the border guards they kidnap a faithless minister (Harvey Keitel), his daughter (Juliette Lewis), and adopted son (Ernest Liu).

Once in Mexico, the group makes their way to an out-of-the-way strip club where they are to wait for Carlos. Once inside the bar they encounter Santanico Pandemonium (Salma Hayek). A bar fight caused by the brothers uncovers the hidden truth about the bar: It's the lair of ancient vampires. When the undead begin to feast on the clientele, the group and two other customers (Fred Willamson and Tom Savini) must battle to stay alive until dawn.

Though not typical of most vampire or horror films, From Dusk Till Dawn was very entertaining. The film is filled with Pulp Fiction- style humor along with some extremely good action scenes. Cheech Marin further adds to its semi-camp quality as he plays three amusing characters.

Though trailers of the film seem to play up the horror aspect, almost fifty minutes pass before any vampires are seen. The movie's first half focuses on Clooney and Tarantino's characters as they flee to Mexico. For those people expecting more undead, the first part of the movie has its share of action scenes and many funny scenes as well.

For fans used to seeing George Clooney on ER, From Dusk Till Dawn shows a new side of the actor, who does an excellent job as an armed robber. Keitel and Lewis also give good performances.

The only problems I had with the film came from Tarantino's character and from the vampires themselves. Richard Gecko was just a bit too psychotic for me to see him as any sort of hero. Even against vampires, I didn't really care if he lived or died. I also felt the movie reduced the vampire to some ugly monster, which lessens the creature's power and horror. For those expecting Rice- or Stoker-style undead, or a more contemporary horror flick, I warn you that this film is neither.

Fortunately, through a good script, special effects and action scenes, the movie more than makes up for its flaws. In short, go see it.