With a Matrix inspired score, excellent fight sequences, explosions and a slew of new characters, the third installment in the Blade franchise suffers from one fatal defect: a story we haven’t seen twice before and better.

Look at any plot writeup for Blade I/II and you’ll have more than you need to know about the Blade III. The vampires of the world are mad about Blade hunting them and they conspire to resurrect/build/assemble the “ultimateâ€? Blade killer. Whatever.

Sure, there are great moments in this film, Blade fighting the original vampire ( don’t call him Dracula ), Parker Posey as a vampire, Ryan Reynolds as a recovering vampire, Jessica Biel naked in the shower, vampire blood dripping off her supple, naked body. Mmm…Jessica Biel. But there aren’t enough great moments or Jessica Biel nude to counteract that not so fresh feeling.

Three things that work about this movie:

1) Fight scenes are better than Blade I or II. Good.

2) Ode de Matrix score really did help. Very good.

3) Jessica Biel in the shower. Very, very good.

Three things that need improvement:

1) The script.

2) The director. MTV inspired spastic-cam cuts do not a action/drama make.

3) See 1 and 2.

Verdict: DVD/video rental. DVD purchase ill advised unless freeze frame viewing Jessica Biel for eternity is paramount.