Blade (1998)

BLADE (1998)

A Film Review

Copyright Dragan Antulov 2004

When everything else fails, Hollywood could always turn to

vampires. At least this is conclusion based on the large number of

vampire-themed movies made in past decade. Vampirism is not only

popular, almost timeless, subject, but it also provides filmmakers

with wide variety of approaches. One of such avenues was explored

by Stephen Norrington in his 1998 action film BLADE.

David Goyer's script for this film was based on popular comic book

series. Protagonist is Eric Brooks (played by Wesley Snipes), man

whose entire life had been marked by the traumatic event occurring

during his birth. His pregnant mother was bitten by vampire and that

resulted in young Brooks becoming hybrid between the man and

vampire. Brooks possesses many vampires' strength without being

burdened by their weaknesses. This had been noticed by Whistler

(played by Kris Kristofersson), old vampire hunter who later become

Brooks' mentor and transformed him into Blade - ultimate vampire-

killing machine. Blade's ant-vampire crusade proves to be difficult

because vampires led by Dragonetti (played by Udo Kier) had

amassed wealth and power through millennia and now rule with the

help of governments and other powerful human institutions. Another

problem for Blade is his own vampire nature that threatens to

completely take over and deprive him of humanity. In the meantime,

Deacon Frost (played by Stephen Dorff), leader of young vampires,

has decided to challenge the old order, dethrone old vampire guard

and turn mankind into cattle. Using "cool" night clubs as a way to

turn unsuspecting visitors into vampires, Frost has created private

army. In the meantime, one of vampires' victims is Dr. Karen Jenson

(played by N'Bushe Wright), haematologist whose work could help

Blade in finding cure for vampirism.

The vampirism motive of BLADE isn't very original, just like the

concept of dark, troubled comic book superhero wasn't fresh in late

1990s. But their combination in this film works, mostly thanks to the

superb physical skills of Wesley Snipes who portrays character

capable to take down monsters while being vulnerable from the

inside. Snipes' acting is well-matched by his physical ability and the

action scenes are marvel to watch, although in many of them Snipes'

martial skills have been combined with the special effects. The result

is impressive and all those who like good action films are going to be

pleased with BLADE.

On the other hand, Goyer's script leaves much to be desired. Ideas

like vampires living in symbiosis with human power establishment

or revolution within vampires' ranks looked quite original, but they

weren't properly explored. The film is also burdened by major plot

holes and implausibilities - vampires that try to protect the secret of

their existence by butchering people in the middle of street or

thousands of years old ancient temple being located under present-

day Los Angeles. The acting is, on the other hand, more than

adequate for this kind of film. Stephen Dorff is quite good in his role

of vampire revolutionary. Veteran Kriss Kristofersson is well-used in

his thankless role of hero's mentor (whose fate could be easily

guessed by any connoisseur of genre movies), while Udo Kier allows

his charisma to be wasted in the one-dimensional role. Another waste

of talent is Spanish actress Arly Jover in the role of Deacon's

companion Mercury. She looks great but talks very little and

provides little depth to her character. In many ways this could be

said for the film as a whole. However, the film's great look, together

with Norrigton's direction and Snipes' martial arts skill, is enough for

BLADE to be enjoyable movie experience.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

Review written on May 28th 2004

Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax

http://film.purger.com - Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in

Croatian

http://www.ofcs.org - Online Films Critics Society

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X-RT-RatingText: 6/10