RATING: 6.5 / 10 -> So-so
Review
Date:
August 27, 1998
Director:
Stephen
Norrington
Writer:
David
S. Goyer
Producers:
Wesley
Snipes, Robert Engelman and Peter Frankfurt
Actors:
Wesley
Snipes as Blade
Stephen Dorff as Deacon Frost
Kris Kristofferson as Abraham Whistler
Genre:
Action
Year of Release: 1998
Take some SHAFT (7.5/10), toss in a couple of
pieces from the original CROW (8.5/10), slap in some special
effects a la SPAWN (6/10), and top it off with some LOST BOYS
(8/10) and BATMAN (8/10) wanna-bees, and you've got yourself this
summer's dark superhero flic via New Line entitled BLADE.
PLOT:
An underworld of vampires is living amongst us, and they are no
longer satisfied with being second-best. They are ready to take
over the world, and only one half-man/half-vampire named Blade
can stop 'em.
CRITIQUE:
Regurgitated plot line from a dozen better pictures, superb
action sequences, half and hour too long, and one bad-ass mutha'
as the superhero carved by way of Wesley Snipes, makes this
comic-book based movie bearable, but far from highly
recommendable or rewatchable. If you like the martial arts and
the crazy special effect action arrangements, this movie might be
moocho enjoyed by you. If on the other hand, you are one of those
rare people who still likes to sink their teeth into a little
plot once in a while, you might as well wait for the video
version of this toothless story.
Having said that, Wesley Snipes was totally kickass in this role,
and rocked the house in every scene in which he appeared: cool
and f-ckin scary! Unfortunately for the audience, Kris
Kristofferson joined the fray as some wise old fart there to help
Blade or something, but God knows Blade didn't need help from
some boring actor with a fake bum limp (And aren't we all sick of
these superhero movies that always seem to contain the proverbial
sensible ol' saps there to aid our hero in their quest for
goodness? I know I am.) Add that to the contrived over-acting by
Stephen Dorff, whose career is going nowhere and slow, the
uncharismatic N'Bushe Wright who can't seem to muster any
interest into her unnecessary character, and the rest of the
no-names who delivered their cheezy lines much like the dead
bodies on which they gorged.
Luckily for us all, Blade does spend a lot of time kicking
people's ass, and splattering blood wherever he roams, so that
pretty much dragged me over the more tedious moments in this
overly long film. Snipes was super-cool, and much like Shaft, I'm
not afraid to admit that he was one bad mutha! (Shut your mouth!)
The style of the film was basically in MTV mode, with all the
required flashing lights and electro music following close in
tow. I thought the soundtrack could actually have been much
better, instead of what seemed to be the same electronic beat
dancing through all of the action scenes (see THE CROW soundtrack
for a much better mix). All in all, this film is lightly
recommended on the action scenes and Wesley Snipes' performance
alone. On the other hand, if you do not like blood, Snipes or
action sequences, skip this dull knife, crack open a couple of
cold ones, and dunk your fat face straight into a pile of nachos,
and call it a night. Your primordial senses will thank me in the
morning.
Little Known Facts about this film and its stars:
Wesley Snipes practices Capoeira, a Brazilian form of
martial arts. He is also a 5th Degree Black Belt.
This film was originally titled BLADE, THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.
Writer David S.
Goyer also half-penned the
mysterious DARK CITY (8/10) and the putrid follow-up to the original
tale of the black bird, CROW: THE CITY OF ANGELS (4/10).
Stephen Dorff was born on the 29th of July, 1973. His
father is musician Steve Dorff, and his brother is also a
musician named Andrew Dorff. Stephen appeared in Aerosmith's "Crying" video opposite the
soon-to-be-cutey-pie-of-the-year actress Alicia Silverstone.
Starting at the tender age of 15, Traci Lords
is known to have appeared in over 80 porno flics by the time her
life chime struck lucky 18. After shooting one more skin flick on
her 18th birthday, Traci tossed in the ol' nutmunch, and pursued
a career in the "serious" world of acting. Her real
name is Nora Louise Kuzma.
One of the executive producers of this film is the creator of the
Spiderman and Fantastic Four comic series, and mainstay at Marvel
Comics for over sixty years, Stan Lee.
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews starting with "B"
James Brundage's Review of Blade
Related Reviews:
David S. Goyer:
Berge Garabedian's Review of Dark City
Wesley Snipes:
Berge Garabedian's Review of The Big Hit (producer)
Jason Overbeck's Review of The Big Hit (producer)
Berge Garabedian's Review of Mulan (voice)
Berge Garabedian's Review of One Night Stand
Kris Kristofferson: