Visually arresting superhero film

Rating: Null/10 (15 January 2019)

Blade was one of the original superhero films, back in the day when they weren't as common as morning dew. Wesley Snipes plays the main character and does a pretty good job stoically portraying him. Visually, Blade is an unqualified triumph. This seems to be a common trait of films based on, inspired by, or influenced by comic books (consider, for example, the likes of Batman, The Crow, and Dark City). In fact, the atmosphere is so well-developed that it's easy to forget how derivative and repetitive the plot is, and to get lost in the dark ominousness of Blade's paranoid, vampire-filled world. Blade is fueled by a kinetic energy, and there are scenes, such as the opening dance club sequence, that function as exotic, erotic assaults on the senses. Ultimately, that all turns out to be a rich icing on a half-baked cake. Blade has the capacity to dazzle, but it also will leave many viewers dissatisfied.