“VCDs, DVDs, Nor Blu-rays!”
Young Tim, who doesn’t even believe in the existence of vampires, quickly finds himself as part of the Vampire Cleanup Department (2017), a secret group of vampire hunters that patrol Hong Kong, eliminating any vampire threats that should arise. Tim’s parents once headed up the department and both died due to becoming infected by vampires just prior to his birth. As a result, Tim is neither human nor vampire and he is immune to the vampire’s bite. The VCD needs new members, and Tim’s “Uncle” Chung believes that it is time to recruit Tim. Another member of the squad, Yip Chau, doesn’t think that Tim is ready or even capable of becoming a member of the team, but he has other reasons to resist Tim’s joining the group.
During Tim’s first mission with the group, the team encounters an ancient and powerful vampire landlord and his servant girl, who was forcibly buried with him. While the manages to escape, Tim and the rest of the VCD capture the servant girl and vring her back to the VCD headquarters for disposal. Another attack happens, and the group leaves Tim behind to burn the body of the girl. While the group is gone, however, Tim learns that he can communicate with the girl. He hides her in his home and begins to train her to become more human. As he studies her, he begins to fall in love with her. Unfortunately for Tim and the VCD, the landlord wants his servant back, and he’ll destroy all of Hong Kong if he must in order to get her back. Can the VCD stop the landlord? Will Tim prove his worth with the rest of the team? Watch the surprisingly enjoyable Vampire Cleanup Department to see what happens!
This film is a nice blend of horror, action, and comedy. It is its own beast, but it is also a nod to 1985’s Mr. Vampire. The vampires in the film stick their arms straight out in front of them and hop around like rabbits. The landlord vampire only briefly hops and is much more sinister than the other vampires in the film. The acting is superb. I really liked Babyjohn Choi as Tim. He was funny when the scene called for it and dramatic when necessary. I also enjoyed the performances of Chin Siu-ho as Yip, Richard Ng as Uncle Chung, and Lin Men Chen as Summer. The rest of the cast was also superb.
Vampire Cleanup Department is a fun film that’s full of action and some decent horror. It’s not your typical vampire hunter flick, but it is definitely worth checking out if you haven’t seen it yet.
Ken's Alternate Universe! 