Modern vampires de-fanged
Lauren Staten
Issue date: 9/2/09 Section: The Edge
Classic Hollywood and literary vampires were mysterious, dark and sensual. There was a certain rare and intriguing essence about them. From as early as Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula, the public fascination with the undead was apparent.
Recently, though, the vampire craze seems to be getting out of hand. New shows and movies seem to be popping out of nowhere. I know I can't be the only one that is wondering about the sudden fascination. There have been decades of great vampire literature and even a few good movies. Why now are they being turned into various TV shows aimed suspiciously at audiences of all age ranges?
The most obvious boom of popularity would be the crazy obsession with everything "Twilight." What started with a series of books became a cultural preteen/teen phenomenon. There's clothing, key chains, posters, jewelry, online fan sites, you name it. It became its own brand. The idea that a vampire can sweep a young girl off her feet and be romantic, forbidden and dangerous all at the same time is the perfect recipe to make any teenage girl swoon. It's part of a romantic fantasy that had to be the logical next step from wizards.
For the more adult crowd, HBO's "True Blood," currently in its second season, can cure anyone's bloodlust for undead drama. It has the violence and sexuality of any good HBO show, and the added intensity of both through dynamic characters that elude just that. The show stays relatively closer to the novels on which it was based, also staying a bit more true to some traditional vampire characteristics.
The vampires in this series live openly in society with humans, or "out of the coffin." One of the most original things about this show are the subtle satirical bits thrown in casually referencing actual institutions, like the church sign bearing "God Hates Fangs" in the opening sequence of the series (referencing one of the Westboro Baptist Church's mottos, "God Hates Fags"). Many aspects of the show parallel events in our society, and this integration is part of what makes the show so appealing. Also the fact that it is directed towards a more mature audience also enables the writers free rein on developing darker, deeper characters.
Recently, though, the vampire craze seems to be getting out of hand. New shows and movies seem to be popping out of nowhere. I know I can't be the only one that is wondering about the sudden fascination. There have been decades of great vampire literature and even a few good movies. Why now are they being turned into various TV shows aimed suspiciously at audiences of all age ranges?
The most obvious boom of popularity would be the crazy obsession with everything "Twilight." What started with a series of books became a cultural preteen/teen phenomenon. There's clothing, key chains, posters, jewelry, online fan sites, you name it. It became its own brand. The idea that a vampire can sweep a young girl off her feet and be romantic, forbidden and dangerous all at the same time is the perfect recipe to make any teenage girl swoon. It's part of a romantic fantasy that had to be the logical next step from wizards.
For the more adult crowd, HBO's "True Blood," currently in its second season, can cure anyone's bloodlust for undead drama. It has the violence and sexuality of any good HBO show, and the added intensity of both through dynamic characters that elude just that. The show stays relatively closer to the novels on which it was based, also staying a bit more true to some traditional vampire characteristics.
The vampires in this series live openly in society with humans, or "out of the coffin." One of the most original things about this show are the subtle satirical bits thrown in casually referencing actual institutions, like the church sign bearing "God Hates Fangs" in the opening sequence of the series (referencing one of the Westboro Baptist Church's mottos, "God Hates Fags"). Many aspects of the show parallel events in our society, and this integration is part of what makes the show so appealing. Also the fact that it is directed towards a more mature audience also enables the writers free rein on developing darker, deeper characters.
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