A mediocre sequel to a mediocre movie.

Rating: Null/10 (12 October 2002)

**SPOILERS**"Blade" (1998) essentially revitalized Marvel's return to the big screen after those straight-to-video flops (remember Dolph Lungdren's "Punisher?"). I admit, I wasn't intrigued by the whole vampire aspect of the film but the action was what drew me to the theaters. It was average at best, but not without its flaws.
Now comes the highly anticipated sequel. Director Del Toro definitely brings his horror touch to the movie and a fan couldn't help but think of "Mimic" when watching this. The movie also has an '80's B-movie feel to it (check the scene when Blade comes out of the blood pool at the end - the music, the slo-mo, it's screaming B-MOVIE!!!). More wall-to-wall action. More weapons. More Whistler. More, more, more...It's essentially a style-over-substance movie and most will agree. But the style does look great.

Alas, I am mixed. I have a sneaky affection for it, yet I cannot fully recommend it because it lacks story. (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) It was only logical to have Blade team up with his enemies to fight a greater threat - The Reapers. In the third act of the film, it turns out that the Vampires created the virus to lure Blade, which brings us back to the format of the first movie. Frost wanted to bring about the Blood Tide and needed his blood. In this one, they need Blade's blood to continue their race. Seems like Blade's blood is the McGuffin to the series. We see that Blade has a character arc with his affection for Nyssa. But wait! He's back to killing vampires at the end.
I did like the way screenwriter David Goyer inserted Greek mythology into the Vampire mythology. The Reapers were nightmarish, a memorable addition to the Blade series. Snipes lightens up Blade, but in the next one, let's see more character depth. The soundtrack is great, especially Mos Def. View this movie as a breather in the Blade storyline and wait to see if Goyer will give us something interesting next time. All in all, could've been better, but still stylish entertainment.