Wesley Snipes as Blade in the 1998 Film
Film adaptation of the Marvel Comics directed by Stephen Norrington
Aug 19, 2009 Christopher Sharman
Wesley Snipes takes the lead as the ‘daywalker’ in the film adaptation of Marvel comics’ Blade, a half human half vampire, who stalks the creatures of the night. He possesses all of their strengths and none of their weaknesses, except for a vampire’s thirst for blood.
Essentially Blade is a badass; and he has one of the best entrances in film history. After an unfortunate man is duped into going to a club in which everyone there is a vampire and sprayed with blood. The hapless victim is beaten, pushed to the floor and crawls across the soaked tiles to be confronted by a pair of boots. The camera pans up revealing Blade, and around him the vampire’s step back in obvious horror as whispers of ‘the daywalker’ echo around the room.
From the moment the blood starts to pour the pace never lets up.
Plot and Introduction To The World Of Blade
Blade (Wesley Snipes) and his mentor Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) fight the good fight against the vampires and meet a doctor Karen Jenson (N’Bushe Wright) who has been bitten and is slowly turning into a vampire. Fortunately she is a haematologist (blood expert) who sets about curing herself and potentially Blade of his own bloodlust, something he keeps in check with regular doses of serum.
The plot is simple: Evil vampire trying to turn himself into a god in order to rule the world and turn everyone into vampires.
Blade tracks his nemesis Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff) through the city leaving a trail of dead vampires in his wake. As a villain Dorff plays the role of Frost with a suitable cocky menace, he snubs the rules of the vampire elders. Even though he isn’t as physically imposing as Snipes he never looks like Blade would easily over power him in a one on one fight.
The vampires are also surrounded by ‘familiars’. Humans who wish to become vampires and serve them, hoping to prove themselves worthy enough to one day be turned. This adds another dimension to the story and helps to explain how vampires are able to remain hidden
Blade is one of those rare characters that just ooze coolness. There is a delightful moment when a vampire doorman attempts to stop him entering a club, Blade calmly takes off his sunglasses, smiles, and in the next scene shows the doorman being hurled through a window.
What Sets Blade Apart From Other Vampire Films
It is also a rare treat to see vampire taking advantage of modern science, Frost uses an advanced computer programme to solve the mysteries of vampire lore and discover La Magra (the vampire god). Several vampires are also capable of withstanding the daylight after they cover themselves is liberal amounts of sun block, something not seen in any other vampire film.
Blade is a great example of what a good half vampire half human film should be. The plot is simple, the characters are fleshed out as their tragic stories are revealed, and Frost is so likable that it is difficult not to want him to win just to see what the world would be like if he did.
The city around the characters looks right, and Whistler points out to Karen that vampires are common place, she probably sees them everyday only she doesn’t realise it because they don’t reveal what they really are. Blade creates a world in which you can believe that there is an underworld of vampires that has remained undetected by the majority of the humans for centuries.
4/5
In short Blade is one of the best examples of action/horror and quite simply is a must see for any vampire fans.
Blade
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