""BLADE" is still the finest vampire film I have ever seen.." - Tom Millan "Kindred Gem Films 1998"

Rating: 10/10 (6 July 2008)

Now I have viewed many styles of vampire films. Some of them leaned more towards the horror side, while others leaned towards action and others towards drama. Before "Blade" premiered on August 21st of 1998, "From Dusk Till Dawn" was the ultimate revolutionary vampire movie of the 1990's. It made "Interview With The Vampire" look like a "church choir sit in"/ "vampire chick flick"- which, by the way, was a drag to watch. Once I saw "Blade", I knew fully well that this film, never mind the sequels, had a strong and solid place on my top ten list of "Best Movies Of All Time".
Director Stephen Norrington does a stupendous and extra ordinary job of weaving and orchestrating the choreography within this vampire action horror. All of the acting by Snipes, Kristofferson, Dorff and countless others was well done. Wesley Snipes plays a half man/ half vampire who is known as a "Day Walker" because he can function not only nocturnally, but during daylight hours unlike the any other vampire. He became this due to the fact that his pregnant mother was bitten by a vampire before giving birth. She died of course but the infant was already infected. Blade was then born into this world and later trained by a cancer ridden smoker Abraham Whistler, played by Kris Kristofferson. Whistler, apparently had battled vampires long before his encounter with Blade. Therefore when he discovers Blade's unique and extra ordinary abilities he mentors him and trains him in martial arts and a vast array of weaponry to create the ultimate vampire slaying machine.
Stephen Dorff plays Deacon Frost, a young and over zealous vampire with a huge chip on his shoulder. He is in disarray with an occult society of vampires who exist underground as a board of directors to somehow integrate with human society- as a tolerant perspective. Of course Frost creates a rebellion to overthrow this "tolerant" vampire government of dullards in suits. Frost believes that a prophecy of a vampire god will come as expected and cause havoc everywhere thus violently pulverizing whatever he can to make the prophecy. Frost wishes to become this blood god.
The original score and music in this feature all fit into the right spot. From beginning to end this film is packed with fancy camera shots and excellent editing. The action is "in your face" and "straight to the point". It's quick, fast and visceral in some sections. I still maintain that "Blade" is the finest and most revolutionary vampire film ever made. "From Dusk Till Dawn" would be my second choice. Never mind the sequels to "Blade" and "From Dusk Till Dawn". Even though I gave "Blade" a top rating and "Blade II" a 9 out of 10 (4 1/2 stars of 5) the third "Blade" was a 0 (no stars). Don't even get me started on "Blade III" or "Blade Trinity". All I'll say is that it should have been called "Blade Zero".
"Blade" gets 5 stars of 5.