Blade Review
by Tim Voon (stirling AT netlink DOT com DOT au)October 15th, 1998
BLADE 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
1 :-) out of 4 for a new breed of dark hero
Cast: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N'Bushe Wright, Donal Logue.
Screenplay: David S. Goyer, based on the character published by Marvel Comics.
Director: Stephen Norrington
In an age when sane, clean-cut superheroes like Superman, are becoming redundant, up rises a new generation of wannabe superheroes, that are labelled complex, on virtue of their personality disorders alone - namely BATMAN, SPAWN and now BLADE. I guess today’s generation finds a hero with a dark psyche, more fascinating, and an anti-hero more appealing.
In a day and age when vampire movies rarely see the light of day, a vain attempt is made to bring life back into the genre. The creator has decided to make Blade an extra special vamp with more blood on top. His mom was bitten when he was still in her womb, thus giving Blade the special powers of a vampire, yet retaining his humanity. Blade can fly at night, but he can also walk in daylight.
This is pleasant enough, but one doesn’t sense the anguish or turmoil of what is like to be a half-breed. Wesley Snipes (BLADE) manages an abandoned look whenever he discusses his inner torment, and convulses adequately enough, whenever he takes a serum to suppress his blood sucking urges; but this is a rather superficial look at a man-vampire who is living in a nightmare. Like that other guy SPAWN (don’t bother watching), deep inside WE KNOW there is a lot more going on than just an ability to kick butt, severe heads, dismember limbs and special effects.
Move over BUFFY, your days of coy vampire slaying are over. BLADE’s arrived and will give you a better run for your money when it comes to high grade, state-of-the-art, artillery and weapons. Yes, the special effects are good, and there is enough blood, explosions and noise to satisfy the cravings of any violent viewer. A particular scene that misuses the sprinkler system to feed vampires is not for the faint of heart. The ending is also rather coy, where a blood sucking scene is used to imitate love making, before BLADE is then inspired to beat the bad guy, Frost (Stephen Dorf). Who says you shouldn’t have sex before a big match?
Timothy Voon
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