Title: The Thompsons
Directed by: Mitchell Altieri & Phil Flores
Starring: Mackenzie Firgens, Elizabeth Henstridge and Cory Knauf
Running time: 82 minutes, Rated R, Available on DVD
Special Features: 6 featurettes – Relocating the Family, Scribed in Blood, Humans to Monsters, Awakening the Project, Families, The Ringlestone Inn and Trailer
Sequel to The Hamiltons, the siblings (now using the alias Thompson) are on the run from the law in England and Paris, trying to find a vampire clan who are the link to uncovering their parent’s mysterious past.
The Thompson kids are on the run after an unfortunate incident where they massacre everyone in a California bar after little brother Lenny gets shot. Their only chance for sanctuary is to find the Mandersons, their only connection to their parent’s past. Eldest brother David (Samuel Child) looks after the still injured Lenny (Ryan Hartwig), the twins Wendell and Darlene search for clues in Paris while Francis gets a tip that the Mandersons are somewhere in Ludlow England. Francis has an altercation with the Stuarts, a family of vampires who run a pub in Ludlow; after which Father Stuart (Daniel O’Meara) offers to help Francis and his siblings find a safe place to reunite. Francis (Cory Knauf) narrates the story which consists of several flashbacks all leading up to how he ended up locked in a box and his discovery that the Stuarts have other plans for the Thompsons.
I have never seen The Hamiltons, but after seeing The Thompsons I am intrigued. The characters were fun and this film actually left me wanting more. The twins Darlene (Mackenzie Firgens) and Wendell (Joseph McKelheer) were so badass, and I would love to see them get their own spin-off film if the rest of the cast weren’t on board for another sequel. Stay tuned during the credits to see an extra scene with the twins. Elizabeth Henstridge as Riley Stuart is simply gorgeous and her acting isn’t bad either. The blood and CG effects were a little comical, but not overly kitschy. The nudity was sparse but appreciated. I felt the story was a little incomplete, but I did like The Butcher Brothers/Corey Nauf’s twist to the vampire folklore; very clever and passable. I consider myself a vampire lore aficionado, so it gets my nod of approval.
Lastly I would like to acknowledge the slam at Twilight fans; most people are afraid to piss off the Twihards and I applaud them for showing some sack.
Reviewed by: JM Willis
Total Rating: A
