Vampires and Materials Art together at last

Rating: 8/10 (4 December 2009)

If any writer or director wants to make a film about a lesser known comic book hero, then they really need to see Blade and Blade II to see how it should be done. After the disaster that was Batman and Robin, this shows comic books films could be done seriously and was a surprise hit of 1998.
Blade is a half-human, half-vampire. His mother was bitten by a vampire whilst pregnant and he ends up infected. He has all the strengths of a vampire, but he has a sense of humanity and is able to walk in the day (he is nick named 'The Daywalker'). But he has to fight his internal thirst for blood and make sure he is more human then vampire. He works with his mentor and tech guy Whisper (Kris Kristofferson) who hunt vampires. Blade is the muscle, he is a skilled fight and uses weapons like a silver sword to kill vampires. They are also investigating the activities of Declan Frost (Stephen Dorff), a vampire who was turned and wants to bring about a prophecy involving the re-birth of the blood god. A sub-plot also involves Blade saving Dr. Karen Jenson (N'Bushe Wright), a hematologist i.e. a blood specialist. She had been bitten by a vampire and on the edge of turning. She offers to find a cure for vampirism, and help creates a new scrum for Blade.
This is a film that proved that David S. Goyer is a talented writer, and that Stephen Norrington have ability as a direct. They made a dark, serious, very violence film with a few little jokes to lighten things up. Stephen Norrington gave the film a dark, yet cool tone, showing a good eye for the setting and there are brilliant action sequences. He has a cool effect for when vampires are killed. The material arts are well done; maybe a little too much MTV style editing, but still very good. Some of the CGI was a little ropy, but the film was made in 1998, and it's budget wasn't as big as other major films of the time; but still pretty fun. Goyer adds a political and social dimension to Blade, involving vampire politics and racism (between true blood vampires and turned vampires). They are themes of corruption, but the biggest theme is Blade fighting his urge. The best vampire stories often have some sort of theme in them. Wesley Snipes is utter cool in this film, showing his fighting skill and delivers good one-liners. He is Blade. He has the look, the skill and the ability to play the role. Blade and Blade II are the best films he has done.
There is also good dance music by Mark Isham. I am personally not a fan of dance music (except for Paul Oakenfold), but in the context of this film, it works really effectively.
A fine action movie.