The Different Kinds of Vampire

I wanted to bring up a common theme in our favourite genre to read and write in: vampires.

I've been reading in the paranormal genre for years now and vampires have always seem to have been my species of choice for any supernatural story. I think the first vampire related story I read was the first Dangerous Girls novel by R.L Stine. This may not have been the first novel that had vampires in it, it was just the first I remember to have vampirism as the main issue of the book.
So I brought up this topic tonight because I just came home from seeing the movie Daybreakers. For those who don't know, Daybreaker's is set in the future where the human race is nearly extinct due to the existance of vampires, who have overpopulated the world. Since the survival of vampires depends on human blood, the growing population of vampires begin harvesting humans for their blood in order to feed their species. The movie is set in 2019, and vampires have been evolving into souless, evil creatures from lack of blood supply. The vampires have begun losing order, as they are down to their last few captured humans, and Ethan Hawke's character, Edward (ooo, the irony) is a hemotologist who is working on creating an effective blood substitute.
Alright. I'll stop now so I don't go and give away the entire story.

I'll just say, I really enjoyed this movie. Daybreakers was gory and dark. It had the vamps with fangs, amazing contact lenses, had a great plotline, vamps grotesquely gorging on human flesh, and finally, PERFECTLY captured what Earth would be like if we had vampires in the world. I am not delusional, and I know that vampires do not exist, I am just saying, if they did, I think this would be what would become of us. We would be overpowered and used for one purpose. What was interesting to me was how the vampire species was portrayed in this movie.

First, the species had come to be as a result of a virus. That was my first hint that there would be no glamorizing of the vamps in this film. Second, they need the blood to live. Vegatarian vamps just don't survive. Rather, they turn into ghoulish, bloodthirsty monsters. And, like all vampires should, these had fangs--unlike a certain Twilight series where the vamps are mysteriously missing one of their best attributes. Meyer obviously didn't get the memo that fangs make sex that much better. Although, her lack of fangs correlate with her horrible excuse for a sex scene *exhales slowly*

Daybreakers showed a darker side of desperation of vampiric bloodlust. It was scary to see how inhibited and savage people could get when there was a shortage, or a depletion of something they need to survive. Kind of reminded me of Lord of the Flies actually. Odd reference, I know. I just remember reading it in the ninth grade and having to analyze it. How without any rules, or order, or food, man loses all form of civility and control. Brings you back to paleolithic times when humans just did what they needed to live; morals, laws, and other people's feelings be damned. I dunno. That aspect of the movie just fascinated me. I just wondered, if our water supply eventually depleted to the point that there's not enough drinkable water for our ever growing population, if we would be driven to acts of cruelty to quench our thirst.

I know that there is currently a humungous fan base for paranormal/supernatural/fantasy romance. During this era, vampires, werewolves, demons, witches, have all been SEXIFIED to suit our new tastes. Yes, we like our vamps and wolves big, manly, possessive, sexy, strong, with a heart of gold for their mates, and a stunning 6 pack to complete the package. The Scottish warriors circa 15th century or the mysterious nobles that entrance ladies with titles in luxurious gowns have been exchanged for alpha males with brute strength, magical power and best of all, fangs. I have to admit that I have a very large collection of books featuring the latter in my bookshelf. But once in a while, I like seeing other portrayals of the paranormal species. Like the vamps in 30 Days of Night, or the werewolves in the Underworld series. I highly recommend.

I don't exactly know what I was trying to convey in this post tonight. I am quite frightened that in the morning I'll re-read the philosophical babbling from one paragraph and cringe...but whatever. I'm tired and I don't really remember what my point was at the beginning of this massive entry.

To conclude my bloody essay:
Watch Daybreakers; It's freaking awesome.


'Night,

JB