Bloodstone: Subspecies II

The sequel to “Subspecies” (1991), “Bloodstone: Subspecies II” picks up the lethal exploits of the shadowy Radu, bloodsucking prince obsessed with an ancient family relic, right where the first film left off (in fact, the first thing Radu does is reattach his brutally severed head). Unfortunately, the story proceeds on somewhat shaky ground thanks to the addition of a handful of plot twists that don’t always make a lot of sense from a logical or narrative point of view.

The character of Michelle returns from the prior film, although there’s little physical resemblance (Denice Duff replaced Laura Mae Tate in the role, but the very least they could have done was give the character the same hairdo). And saving the best for last, we’re treated to the appearance of the vampire’s mother (“Mummy”), a sort of cross between the witch from Kevin Reynold’s “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991) and a hideous ogre from a Peter Jackson film. At least now we finally have an idea of who Radu inherited his abhorrent personality and horrifying appearance from (the other members of the Vladislav family being a pacifist father and an Adonis half-brother).

Produced by Charles Band’s Full Moon Studios on a sort of Romanian sabbatical, with a tried-and-true Ted Nicolaou directing on his home turf.