A corrupt detective named Na Do-yeol (i.e. “Ricky”) is bitten one day by a mosquito, which has improbably been whisked across the globe to Korea after sucking the blood of a vampire in Transylvania. Sure enough, the vampire’ blood mixes with his own, and Do-yeol wakes up the next morning a transformed man. Or at least partially transformed - his fangs sprout and his supernatural strength wells up only when he is sexually aroused. Which presents a few problems...
Shakespeare it is not, but Vampire Cop Ricky is an energetic action-comedy that could alternatively be called Night of the Supporting Actor. Over the past several years Kim Soo-ro has become famous in countless supporting roles, after first drawing notice as the Chinese food delivery boy in Attack The Gas Station! In Vampire Cop Ricky, he finally gets a chance to play a lead role, and he responds by giving an enthusiastic, acrobatic performance that carries the film.
At the same time, Vampire Cop features several other supporting actors who are just beginning to attract their own fan followings. Oh Gwang-rok, playing a priest who comes to the aid of our confused cop at a crucial time, was launched into the popular consciousness by Park Chan-wook after appearing in the closing scene of Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance and the opening scene of Oldboy. Son Byeong-ho, for his part, has excelled playing unpleasant characters in Failan, Oasis, R-Point, and Running Wild. Here he gives a memorable performance as the crooked operator of a gambling hall. Cheon Ho-jin (All For Love), another emerging character actor, and debut actress Jo Yeo-jeong round out the cast.
Vampire Cop was released in February and emerged as a guilty pleasure for about 1.8 million viewers, and is sure to enjoy a long life in late-night screenings on video.
Darcy Paquet