Vampires, Actions, thrills, spills, horror and fun. Before there was an Iron Man, there was a Blade.

Rating: 8/10 (8 April 2016)

This is a Marvel comics inspirited film from before the Marvel Universe films got big like they are today, it follows Blade, the "day walker". Played by Wesley Snipes, Blade, was born a half breed human-vampire cross, all the strengths of a vampire and none of their weaknesses. Before entering the world his pregnant mother was bitten by a vampire and as she's dyeing in hospital from the Vampire bit Blade is born, this origin is explained right at the start of the film so that the audience is in no doubt how he came to be. Now an adult Blade is fighting Vampires with the help of Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) who saved Blade from himself and from becoming a Vampire himself when he was a child living on the streets. Together they fight the cause with Blade doing the dirty work and Whistler providing the tech and back up. Blade's only weakness is 'the hunger', the vampiric need to consume blood which he keeps under control by periodically injecting himself with a serum. The film follows Blade dealing with a rebellious uprising within the Vampire community. After saving Dr Karen Jensen (N'Bushe Wright) from a Vampire attack Blade becomes aware that a plan is unfolding in the Vampire community who up until then have generally remained quiet and discreet as a community who lives side by side with humans without them knowing. Deacon Frost (played by Stephen Dorff) is trying to become all powerful despite the Vampire orders express wishes. He is part of a new order, not born a Vampire but turned into one, keeping his human characteristics which include greed and the need to be all powerful. He has stumbled onto some old literature which talks about the Blood God/Demon. Believing he can invoke the demon Frost sets his plans in motion but he is one ingredients short of success, the day-walkers (Blade's) blood.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable film and in my opinion is probably the best I have seen Snipes on screen, I even like Dorff, thinking about it I can't recall many other stand out films that Dorff has done before or after this. The plot and script are straight out of the comic world and such are punchy, dramatic and humorous at times. The effects in this film are great, from the way the fight scenes unfold to the way that the vampires meet their demise. The film is dark more often than not but that's because of the nature of the subject and vampires not particularly liking daylight - this is one of Blade's strengths so there are daytime shots too, don't worry. The soundtrack to the film is fantastic, a lot of thought went into making both the film and the musical score fast paced and exciting and it really worked. Other actors in the film hold their roles well from Kristofferson playing grumpy Whistler, to others like ex-porn star turned actress Traci Lords and Donal Logue as the cock-sure vampire Quinn. If you haven't seen the film and you like action, adventure, a bit of horror, comics, heroes, or vampires then you should enjoy the movie. Although it was a moderate success at launch it become a cult favourite and has since spawned two more sequels bot of which maintain the look and feel of this film.
I'm awarding this 8 out of 10.