Blade (1998)

 

Genre: Action/Horror            Time: 2hours            Director: Stephen Norrington

Quick summary: Blade, who is part vampire and part mortal, becomes a vampire hunter to protect human beings. He prevents vampires from taking control over the human race.

Full of hyper-action from start to finish, this is a kinetic mix of impressive stunts and inventive shots. This really set the bar high straight away.

Even over twenty years later, the film has a lot of energy and a story that keeps moving.  The movie plays fast and loose with “infected” vs. “born” vampires and how the virus is passed etc., but largely it just keeps it fun and full of martial arts action and shooting.

    The acting is very comic book-like.  All the characters are bigger than life.  Wesley Snipes plays stunningly and delivers his lines with bravado but that is how many of the goofy lines need to be delivered to work. It's just pure cheese and I'm here for it.

The visuals of Blade are both great and pretty bad. The CG is what really dates this film, as it's very obvious.

 Fight scenes are well-choreographed and never feel like they are going on for too long, and thanks to the superb stunt work, feel thoroughly brutal. However, it was kinda downplayed as the cheese was brought back, but honestly, I didn't mind that at all. I really liked that aspect of that.

The film is presented in a fast, energetic stylish manner, extreme camera angles shift to bring us right in on top of the action, and set pieces from both the human world and the vampire world are saturated with blinding lights and flooding shadows. It makes for a visceral experience.

The soundtrack to the film has a mix and match of hip-hop, techno and rock which stands up to this day. Techno music blares during action scenes, giving them a kinetic feel, while slower hip-hop beats play during the more sombre parts of the film. The music enhances this film with some truly memorable tunes.

With some poor CGI, a dodgy tone and exposition-filled writing aside, Blade is a bloody romp through a vampire-laden world that is thoroughly enjoyable. It tells a story that is engaging and truly unique, and thanks to good direction, solid performances and brilliant fight scenes, is one of the best action films of the 1990s.

7/10

"“You may wake up one day and find yourself extinct.”"

“Pearl, you’re history. Have the good grace to die with some fucking dignity.”