Blade (1998)

Before 2000, almost all Marvel Comics movies bombed. I'd heard that this was the one standout, however mixed its reception. At least it garnered a trilogy. I chose to watch for its seasonally appropriate theme and so I'd know Wesley Snipes from something other than the Bad music video, what little I recall of Murder at 1600, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.

Modern L.A. is far more populated -- and dominated -- by vampires than you might guess. Nevertheless, Eric "Blade" Brooks (Snipes) is unusual: His mother (Sanaa Lathan) having been bitten moments before she gave birth, he has inherited most of their powers and only one weakness, the need for blood or its chemical equivalent. Under the influence of Abraham Whistler (Kris Kristofferson), he has moved away from preying on humans and toward taking down vampires. By the beginning of this story, he is their bogeyman, "the Daywalker." But he doesn't scare vampiric playboy Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff), who believes that Blade can unwillingly help him awaken a dark god worshipped in ancient times.

The second most prominent character is Karen (N'Bushe Wright), who gets bitten by semi-comical recurring baddie Quinn (Donal Logue) and rescued by Blade in a moment of pity, despite him expecting her to "turn" before long. She serves partly as an everywoman, receiving exposition on our behalf, but she proves more useful to Blade than he dared hope, not least with her hematologist training. In time, she becomes pretty badass in her own right.

Blade tells Karen to forget what she thinks she knows about vampires, but honestly, most of the conventional lore is accurate. The main differences are religion based: You can't deflect them with crosses or hurt them with holy water. Also, they're not typically pale unless wearing a lot of sunblock. For all the violence in this picture (rated R for heavy swearing as well), dead vampires rapidly disintegrate no matter how they're killed. They divide themselves into mafia-like clans with signature runes tattooed on their human servants, tho we get no sense of how to characterize one versus another. There are both lifelong vampires and ex-mortals, the former looking down on the latter, so there's a bit of infighting.

I couldn't help thinking repeatedly of Hellboy (2004). In each case, we have a half-human, half-supernatural antihero who shuns mainstream society but uses his massive strength, rapid healing, and specialized weaponry (including a handgun impractically large for normal people) to defend humans from secret hideous monsters with not-so-hot CG, one of whom deems him the key to summon an eldritch abomination in a forgotten temple. No wonder Guillermo del Toro directed the sequels.

If there's one thing Blade has over Hellboy, it's the action. Blade alternates among guns, blades (duh), empty-handed martial arts, and some...improvisation. Since Ron Perlman was in his 50s at the time, he wasn't in great shape for the more athletic moves.

Unfortunately, Blade himself isn't nearly as interestingly portrayed. He doesn't seem to have any interests besides his ongoing mission. He never smiles, and what little he says is more rude than intriguing. Small wonder there's no hint of a budding romance with Karen; to call them friends at any point is generous.

I will be generous enough not to call the gestalt "dull" like some reviewers have. It's a trifle better than I'd been led to expect. The ending is a bit predictable and anticlimactic by today's standards, but it doesn't drag on. While I'm not eager to see II or Trinity, I might want to check out something more of the franchise. Maybe it'll get a worthy reboot someday, with a better writer.