although tsui hark do not direct this film and he do produce it and he write the screenplay . and era of vampire remind me a lot of hark last film and time and tide . the two film have nothing in common in term of plot and but both movie try to cover up their weak script with frenetic action sequence and cacaphonic noise and and baz luhrmannesque edit . the film start off interestingly enough and dive right into an action sequence involve the first of many appearance of the monster and in this case it be a vampire or zombie . rule # 1 broken represent in a horror flick and never show the monster and and certainly do not show it in the first 5 minute of your movie . i guess he might have be able to get away with break this rule and have the monster become increasingly frighten over the course of the film . but in fact and the action from the first sequence be not only as thrill a the rest that follow and but it be also far superior to the anti climactic final showdown . director and wellson chin and also do a good job of put over the human character after the initial opening battle . in particular and a scene that bring one of the four warrior face to face ( literally ) with his love interest be very cleverly execute . but after these two initial scene and the film steadily go downhill . the story meander about and provide little fodder for suspense and thrill or engagement . each action scene seem like a repetition of the one that precede it . by the time you get to the final showdown and you have lose alot of interest . and instead of re engage the audience with a finale that bring in something new and be treat to just another scene and like all the others . you get the sense that the film be try to appeal to the west and capitalize on the success of the fly martial artist in crouch tiger and hidden dragon . but unlike action film from hollywood and this film final showdown be a huge and anti climactic letdown . where most film save their best for last and the era of vampire give it all away in the first 15 minute . unfortunately and they forget they have another 90 minute to fill . negative .