Graphic Horror Blogathon: Blade (1998)

If some of you are unaware, all March long over at Flights Tights & Movie Nights is Graphic Horror Blogathon month where you can review movies based on graphic novels or even choose a movie that you feel be great as a graphic novel.  Thats a really awesome idea, right? There’s been some really great posts thats gone up.

Now, I love awesome ideas so even if I’m not much of a graphic novel connoisseur, I’m always down to check out (or rewatch) movies.  My choice for Graphic Horror Blogathon? Blade.  I’ve only watched snippets here and there of this one before, but I love vampire flicks and I’ve owned the trilogy for a long time.  There’s just always something that catches my eye more. This past weekend, I sat down, wrapped myself in a blanket and fought off the losing an hour because of daylight saving time adjustments and watched Blade.

Let’s see how it was, shall we?

Blade (1998)

Director: Stephen Norrington

Cast: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N’Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Arly Jover

Vampires live among humans however they preserve a certain set of rules to make sure that they do not make themselves too visible.  In the shadows, Blade makes sure that they keep their order. Being half human and half vampire, he can walk in the daylight but tries his best to control his thirst for blood while trying to protect the innocent mortals from vampires while trying to get rid of them all.  One night he saves Dr. Karen Jensen after she has been bitten and tries his best to stop her change with the help of his friend, Abraham. At the same time, this is just the beginning when change is about to happen to shift the balance between vampires and mortals if fellow vampire Deacon Frost succeeds in carrying out his plan.

Lets start with a few facts about me, so this review makes a little more sense.  First, I love all things vampire (except Twilight.  No sparkling vamps, thank you).  Second, I’m not a fan of Wesley Snipes.  I couldn’t finish Demolition Man.  I didn’t even get through half of it for all I know.  Third, I have not read the graphic horror novel that this is based on. I’m quite new to this term so while I know what it generally is, I really just think its a more stylish comic book.  With all that info about me, lets get this review starts.

I’m a little half and half with Blade.  Why? I didn’t like that it was so slow.  The pace was horrible and it wasn’t even that long of a movie.  Maybe a little long at around two hours.  The acting is also something I’m not too huge on but then I think it makes it feel a little bit more comic-y and it constantly reminds me that I’m watching a movie adapted from a graphic novel.  I’d say, on that level, it succeeds rather well.

What does work is that this is violent and stylish.  The action scenes are done really well and they are frequent enough that its only parts that made me more anxious to watch it.  When its just talking and whatever, that’s when it felt a little dragging out and never-ending.   Normally, I’m okay with talking a lot when its intriguing but it really wasn’t.  Its a comic book movie and Blade is somewhat of a hero of sorts so even in the most dangerous situation, you know he’ll break out and save the day in one way or another.

So, maybe here’s where I get to confuse you all a little.  As much as I don’t quite like Wesley Snipes, he fits the role of Blade extremely well. He doesn’t give off a serious vibe to begin with and he can pull of minimal dialogue, quiet and mysterious but still feel like its not all that serious while pulling off some great action sequences.  It works out for him.  Trust me, I’m surprised that I actually enjoyed him a little more than usual.

I don’t have all that much to say about Blade, maybe thats what its taken me so long to get this review up. Blade is a mildly entertaining movie because of Wesley Snipes being Blade and the action sequences that the movie adds in.  The other parts is not exactly intriguing or interesting.  However, what it does succeed is that it always reflects that it is based on a graphic novel and reflects well with its dialogue.  Its could be a good fun guilty pleasure.  Not exactly mine but I did enjoy myself a little so that’s good with me.

Have you seen Blade? Do you like Wesley Snipes?