~ The Power of an Immortal ~

Blade is a Vampire action film starring famous actor and a personal favourite of mine Wesley Snipes. It was interesting to know that Wesley as well as starring in the film helped produce it. It is based slightly on the Marvel comic of the character Blade but has been changed to make a dark and sexy film. There are many differences between the comic character and the film. I first saw this film when it was first realised on video and my auntie was babysitting at the time. I’ve always been a fan of vampire films and this didn’t disappoint.
I know own this and the other two in the trilogy on DVD box set and I never get bored on them. I am also a fan of Stephen Dorff so having both actors in this film just did it for me.

~ INFO ~

Director- Stephen Norrington

I hadn’t heard of Stephen Norrington before Blade as I was quite young but since this film he has directed many other great films including Death Machine and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He has had other offers to direct films such as Ghost Rider and The Crow.

Produced- Peter Frankfurt, Wesley Snipes, Robert Engelman
Written- David S Goyer (Screenplay) Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan (comic book)
Music- Mark Isham
Distributed- New Line Cinema
Release Date- 21 August 1998 (US) - 13 November 1998 (UK)
Certificate- 18

~ PLOT ~

Blade is a half Vampire half human who slays vampires to protect the innocent race. He is a day walker which means he can go out in the day time unlike normal vampires and is strong, fast and a vicious fighter. Blade has an enemy who has come to town named Frost who is determined to get rid of Blade and rule the city. His past comes to haunt him but he must continue to save the humans from a cold killer. Blade has befriended human Whistler who mentors him and makes weapons for him to use. After saving a young girl from a group of vampires he must keep her from the enemy as well as saving the race.

~ CAST ~

Wesley Snipes – Blade

Blade has had a hard life and now lives as a vampire hunter. He is a hard fighter and is known to the vampires as The Day

Walker. He has a ruthless reputation and many of his enemy are scared of him knowing he can find them day or night which is his advantage. Blade seems strong minded and determined to achieve what he sets himself.

Wesley Snipes is a successful well known actor and after Blade has starred in films such as- The Art of War (2000), 7 Seconds (2005) and The Detonator (2006), he has also appeared in the following Blade films to complete a trilogy.

Stephen Dorff – Deacon Frost

Deacon Frost is a powerful and influential killer who has a strong army behind him and a mission to defeat the threat to his race The Day Walker.
He has a lot of money due to his night club and owns an expensive apartment where he is fully protected. Frost is a savage. If is men does not obey him he kills them on the spot and he seems to have a high confidence that no one can touch him.

Stephen Frost has starred in other successful films including- Riders (2002), Alone in The Dark (2005) and World Trade Centre (2006). He has also worked with singer Britney Spears in her music video of Everytime where he appears as her boyfriend.

Kris Kristofferson – Abraham Whistler

Whistler is Blade’s mentor and dear friend who helps make weapons and is like a father to Blade. He has lost his real family to the vampires and has sworn to help Blade protect the race. He is a master in Martial Arts and is an expert in weaponry.

Kris is a well respected actor and has been in the film industry for many years. Some of his most successful films are- Planet of the Apes (2001), Silver City (2004) and the new release He’s just not that into you (2009).

N’Bushe Wright- Dr Karen Jenson

Karen is saved by Blade after being attacked by a vampire. She is confused, scared and at first runs from him because of what he is. She comes in handy to the Day Walker being a doctor she helps with treatment. She seems to be an independent woman and seems to have a bond with Blade.

Other Characters

Donal Logue- Quinn
Udo Kier – Vampire Elder Dragonetti
Tracey Lords- Racquel
Sanaa Lathan – Vanessa Brooks

~ OPINIONS ~

SCENES and CHARACTERS

Blade has a lot of brilliant scenes and well filmed parts. It was hard to pick out favourite parts as every scene was action packed, interesting and motivating. Straight away we have a cliff hanger and the first part shown in the present day is mind blowing. We see a busy nightclub in town which is packed and buzzing. This is one of my favourite scenes. The music chosen is perfect for the adrenaline pumped dancers. We see an attractive couple walking toward the sound of this place and we are automatically confused with why it is based in a slaughter house. The location is dingy, dark and doesn’t look like a typical place for a nightclub to be. The cuts are fast and the action is out standing. As the sprinklers are let off and blood rains on everybody below you understand that the people there are not human but vampires. Liked the way they didn’t make it obvious at first what they were, it was done in a clever and mysterious way to catch the audience at the same time as the human man.

The first look we get of Blade is good. As the young man who entered the club realises he is doomed he stumbles on a figure dressed in leather. The camera rolls up to reveal a tall, muscled man with sunglasses. The words Day Walker are mumbled and that’s where the fighting kicks in. Unlike other vampire films Blade includes some realistic fight scenes and is not over the top. Blade is fully armoured and is quick, efficient and strong. The camera cuts fast to each fight and the music continues low in the background. The whole atmosphere is done right and it makes the audience involved in the action. I think the character of Blade was casted just right. Wesley Snipes fits the profile and his acting is brilliant as well as being a piece of eye candy for the female viewers.
Deacon Frost is also another well casted character. Stephen Frost has a great look and is acting is also superb. Even though he is not obviously muscled his ruthless and cold ways are more of a danger. The character in the comic books is suppose to be older than the casted actor and have more of a scientific mastermind look but I think for the time this was chosen right. I loved the character of Frost, he is ambitious and even though he is not very liked by vampires he can influence people very well. It’s also properly because I have a liking for Stephens Dorff think it helped keeping my attention on the screen.
All of the characters are well developed and we get to know about their past and see them change through out the film.

MISE EN SCENE

I think the whole look and atmosphere of the film was superb. Most of it was filmed at night time obviously being a vampire film most of them are only out at this time but it also helped with the dark and eerie scenery. It gives it a tensed feeling all the way through. The film included many different locations to keep you interested and they varied a lot. There were the dingy places like Blades warehouse and the streets of the city including the alleys as well as the up market classy apartment owned by Frost and the Hospital. The costumes also fitted the film and characters well. Blade’s outfit is powerful. The leather coat, trousers and armoury fitted around his chest give him that all powerful look. There is a wide range of weapons which was brilliantly used- the variation of guns used gave it a new modern thrill, the use of swords for personal and explicit combat and the daggers and spiked discs were good for that variation of fighting.

SP/FX

The special effects are also a huge reason why the film is successful. The way the vampires turn to bones and then blow away is a brilliant effect. All of the fighting scenes include many special effects that are done in a polished and perfectly done way. The power vampires have is much greater than humans so all of the fights are enhanced for critical damage but it is not shown as unrealistic like many films do. It shows the characters of having great skills and really blows your mind away. Even though there were some super powers included in the comic that was not evident in the film I think for the time period it is at the highest standard it could be without ruining it.

NARRATIVE

Blade has a strong story with many anti climaxes to keep you amazed. It has humour, tear jerkers and angry, buzzing action. It includes many elements to appeal to a wide ranged audience and not just the young typical males. The sub plot of romance gives it a level of humanity as it develops the characters well and we see a softer side of Blade other than the killing. The story from the comic book was evolved to make it serious to the action. Blade is not seen as a super hero who properly would have been made fun of and is seen as a different kind of hero which is more realistic to the times today.

THE FACTS

I found it interesting that when I was researching the film many other Hollywood actors were asked to do the part before Wesley Snipes these included- Denzel Washington, LL Cool J and Martin Lawrence.

~ DVD ~

The single Blade DVD can be brought on play.com for £5 although I brought the whole trilogy for £10.

Special Features

• Trailer
• Deleted Scenes
• Cast and Crew (Stills, Text and Soundbites)
• 'Special Effects' Featurette
• 'Designing Blade' Featurette
• 'Behind The Scenes' Featurette
• Audio Commentary from Wesley Snipes and Steven Dorff
• Interactive Menu
• Scene Access

~ RECOMMEND ~

Blade is a fun, sexy and cool vampire flick which has everything you need for a great film. I would defiantly recommend it and it is good value of money to buy the DVD. It is a high quality movie and has excellent acting, fighting and characters. If you have watched any of the others the first Blade film is defiantly the best.

~ thanks for reading~ Blackmagicstar4 Feb 09~ published on Dooyoo and Ciao. xx