Blade is single-handedly the one who really kicked off the comic book movie resurgence in the 90/2000s. It was Blade, then X-Men, and then Spider-Man, and those three movies are what REALLY helped comic book movies back then. Plus, Wesley Snipes is just perfect as the character!
@The Phantom Split-So, if you just stick to Marvel, then yes, you have Blade, X-Men 2000, and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. If you're talking comic book movies in general, you had Superman 1978 with Christopher Reeves that showed, "Hey, comic book movies can be successful and make money. Cool." Then you have Batman '89 comes out, and "Oh, wow, comic book movies can be dark and gritty and still make a profit." Then you hit a brief period in the 90's with some really, REALLY bad comic book movies like Steel, Captain America, Generation X. Batman & Robin effectively killed the Batman movie name until Blade came along, "Hey, dark R rated comic book vampire movie did good." So they decided "Okay, let's try to do a serious take on the X-Men." Big profit. Sam Raimi's Spider-Man comes along with not one, but 2 highly successful movies, plus by this point, we also have both Blade II and X2. 6 highly profitable movies that come along and right around that time, it was pretty soon after that Christopher Nolan revitalized Batman with Batman Begins.
Wesley Snipes was made for this role as Blade, just such a badass. The 2nd one is a close runner up and sometimes I prefer over the original. Amazing supportive cast too
Blade had the best atmospheric beats and vibes of any comic book film. Great intro into vampires. I loved the pacing SOO much. Plus still one of the best openings of any hero film.
I have so many fond memories of Blade and especially Blade 2. Those were one of the few R rated films I watched with my dad when I was a a kid. Wesley Snipes is fucking badass as this character
One of the coolest comic book movies ever as well as one of the most important as it helped start what we now have as the Golden Age of CMBs. As far as casting is concerned, Wesley Snipes as Blade is right there with RDJ as Iron Man and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
This review literally came at the perfect time because I just finished watching blade a couple days ago and just finished part 2 earlier today. Wesley Snipes was perfectly cast for this role of a badass vampire hunter! Can't wait for the sequel reviews too man
That is true. There are some actors take to the role they are given, and make it so much their own, hard to see anyone else filling those shoes. Harrison Ford and Han Solo and Indiana Jones, Robert Englund and Freddy Kruger, Bruce Campbell and Ash Williams, and Wesley Snipes and Blade. And I do like the Blade Trilogy. Thank you, Cody, enjoyed this video, and looking forward to checking out the next two reviews of Blade.
Blade is easily one of the most badass characters in general. Blade and Underworld were my introduction into the vampire world at a young age. My favorite of the Blade films is Trinity; I know it has it's flaws, but i love fun bad movies.This august is actually the 25th anniversary for the 1st Blade film. I appreciate you for not being fake, good shit.
Actually Black Panther is technically the 3rd character to feature an African American lead male. Everyone forgets about 1997's Spawn. Not the best movie in the world but Michael J White did I passable enough job
@dogood8750 well, technically no because just because people didn't know it was based on a comic book doesn't change the fact that Blade came out a whole 20 years before Black Panther and Steel came out a year before Blade.
Remember watching this film at my friends house, his Dad got it on DVD, weren't a comic book fan and didn't even know it was based on a comic book. We loved it
I saw Blade with my dad when I was 15, it was only the second R rated film I saw in the theater after Starship Troopers and as much as I enjoyed that movie I had even more fun here. I was a big vampire fan and I was already familiar with the character thanks to a few appearances he had in the 90s Spider-Man animated series so I was very excited going in and it totally lived up to the hype for me. Still one of my favorites.
I really love the Blade trilogy. I know the third isn't the best, but all three were a solid serious, over the top attempt to give us a R rated Blade film. I can watch these films anytime. Always in the mood for blade.
I love all of your videos, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I could listen to you talk about the classics every single time. Thanks for this, brother!
I freaking LOVE Blade and Blade II. I can even enjoy Blade Trinity, despite all its flaws. He really is the coolest movie character ever. Absolutely love Whistler as well. Deacon Frost was a great villain.
@Ben Johnston I mean... are the action scenes really great? The opening action sequence is good but nowhere near the first two openings. Blade hardly has any fights compared to the other movies. The final fight between Blade and Dracula looks like a PS2 game at times. I mean, so did the Nomak fight in Blade II at times but it also had Del Toro's epic energetic directing. Blade Trinity easily has the worst action scenes of the franchise, even though they're still ok-pretty good.
I never understand this perspective. 2nd one is so stupid and awful it nearly killed the franchise. He does a literal WWE Superplex in the middle of an action film. Luke Goss and Snipes' performance are the only redeeming features of the film everything else is beyond awful IMO.
@LordsOfSalem666 yeah Triple H was in it but none of the action was as stupid and the plot was no where near as contrived. "We double crossed you" "I knew but my back up double crossed you" "No I double double crossed you" "I knew that too so I double double double crossed you" like WTAF snooze... Plus is had 100% more Ryan Reynolds and 100% more Jessica Biel's ass...
18:12 "If vampires could wear sunscreen... then that's what vampires would do ALL the f**kin' time." I agree with you, 100%; and no, I don't think that's a nit-pick - rather, it is a fairly gigantic plot hole which undercuts the entire vampire genre!!! A shame really, as 'Blade' is such a badass movie otherwise
I haven’t seen any of the blade movies I just know the man is a vampire hunter who’s dueled with Dracula before so the mcu version might be my first introduction to the character on screen. After hearing your love for this movie I might give it a chance side I’m not big on vampire stuff.
When David S. Goyer first pitched the idea of doing a Blade movie, the executives of New Line felt there were only three actors who could possibly do the role: Wesley Snipes, Denzel Washington and Laurence Fishburne, but in Goyer's mind, Snipes was always the perfect choice for the character of Blade Kris Kristofferson's character, Whistler, was created for Blade's cameo on Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994). He was liked so much by Marvel's CEO that he was adopted into the Marvel universe. The scene where Quinn (Donal Logue) attacks Karen in the hospital corridor features lots of screaming, but they knew something was wrong when Logue started yelling too. During the tussle, he fell face first onto the hard floor and completely dislodged his jaw. He had broken it in an accident years prior, and opening his mouth too wide and too fast can unhinge it. They were filming in an abandoned hospital but had to rush to a real one, "but I've got this guy who's dressed as a third-degree burn victim, essentially naked, running in with his jaw hanging down." The room cleared out pretty fast. Wesley Snipes was interested in doing a movie adaptation of the Black Panther comics when he was offered the project. He said that he was unfamiliar with the Blade comics, seeing more of a connection to the blaxploitation heroes of the 1970s. "I just approached him as this really cool character where I'd get to do martial arts and wear a leather suit," he said. Karen was originally going to be played by a white actress, but Wesley Snipes encouraged them to cast a black actress. In updating the vampire lore, Stephen Norrington and David S. Goyer decided that crosses wouldn't work against vampires, citing "What if a vampire was Jewish? Why would a cross work against him?" Michael Morbius was to be used as the main antagonist in Blade II (2002), but the idea was dropped when Marvel sold the character's rights to Artisan Entertainment to produce a standalone Morbius film. The vampire on the rooftop in the alternate ending is Morbius, played by director Stephen Norrington. Morbius eventually made his live-action debut in Morbius (2022), played by Jared Leto. In the original Marvel comics storyline, the character Blade was British - not American. Stephen Dorff wasn't a fan of commercial movies, in particularly comic book movies, but Stephen Norrington convinced him to take the role of Deacon Frost. Stephen Dorff modelled Frost on several other villains, especially Jack Nicholson's Joker in Batman (1989). at around 26 mins) When Whistler first introduces himself to Karen he says his first name is Abraham. Bram Stoker, who's first full name is Abraham wrote the original Dracula novel. He even used the name for one of his leading characters a.k.a Abraham Van Helsing. Although she's credited as Mercury, Arly Jover never is called by her name throughout the movie. Blade was born in 1967. In real life, Wesley Snipes was born in 1962. Even though he plays her son, Wesley Snipes (Blade) is actually 9 years older than Sanaa Lathan (Vanessa Brooks). The subway trains in the subway sequence are all CGI. The film was released during the late cycle of vampire films in the 1990s. Other films are Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Innocent Blood (1992), Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), The Night Flier (1997), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), and Vampires (1998). Artist Gene Colan originally modeled Blade after a number of black actors, including Jim Brown. Marvel made only $25,000 off this film The first theatrically-released Marvel movie since Howard the Duck (1986). (at around 45 mins) When the bed opens up and reveals Vanessa (Sanaa Lathan), the sound effect used is lifted from Aliens (1986) (the scene where Ripley & Co. wake up on the Sulaco). Blade's real name is Eric Brooks. He is referred to as 'Eric' towards the end of the film, and his mother's driver's license says Vanessa Brooks of Bradenton, Florida. Body count: 88 The final fight scene sees Blade attack Frost, only for him to "brush off" the effort before exclaiming '...My Turn!' and retaliating. This is very similar (and most likely based on/an homage) to a fight scene in the vampire classic The Lost Boys (1987), where the same happens between the "hero" and vampire villain. Additionally, the vampire make-up effects for both movies were done by Greg Cannom.
Love this film to death was the first violent action film I ever saw as a kid and since then I’ve been forever obsessed with it hope the much does it justice
From Dusk Till Dawn came out in 1996 and then Blade and Vampires both came out in 1998 and I watched those 3 movies so many fucking times it's insane!! I'm really surprised by the ratings. Blade is definitely one of the coolest characters ever.
While having to change elevators to reach the upper floors of exceptionally tall buildings is definitely a thing, she saw the glyphs while waiting in the lobby to get into the elevator. There is a janky cut between teh doors opening and the three of them being in it though, and I had to rewatch it several times just now to notice that the fourth character waiting was actually in the elevator as well. You can sort of see one arm.
Blade 1 is a great movie I love it but man Blade 2 is definitely the best Blade movie I absolutely love Blade 2 the vampires in that movie have my favorite vampire design ever they’re terrifying
For Deacon Frost, it was not about him getting the powered, it was about him, recognizing that vampires are the superior beings and in his eyes be the top of the chain
Movie Reviews: Jacob's Ladder (1990), The Towering Inferno (1974), The Edge (1997), The Breakfast Club (1985), One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Taxi Driver (1976)
Wesley Snipes was almost cast as Black Panther when it came out. John Singleton was supposed to direct the movie but the movie couldn’t get finished. Wesley got the Blade role instead. Blade was in the Spider-Man animated series from the 90s.
Love the 1st Blade movie Wesley Snipes was perfect no one else could play him Stephen Dorff great as the villain also it gave superhero movie's a spark again 8.6/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
I think im alone on an island here but deacon frost was one of my favorite villains. Very charismatic. His wit goes toe to toe with blade in my opinion
I think that when it comes to the higher-ups in the Vampire world they've become complacent in having lackies do everything for them and having someone challenge them to that extent shocks them into inaction, plus Frost pretty much controls the lesser vampires in that city so they know noone will fight for them against him. That's just my take on it though. Great vid as always Cody!
@thetick3694 I looked it up. The show takes place after the events of Blade trinity but the first episode was a 2 hour pilot and not technically a film
Quinn: "Deak, I don't think you understand, I mean, this dude is fucking bad! Like, he's- he's had like *twenty* guys around him, I was there, man! He's got shit he throws at you, like-like the sword..." Frost: "Yeah, he's got the sword and shit-" Quinn: "Exactly." Frost: "Yeah, he can throw it in the air..." Quinn: "He's got like the shit that he throws..." Frost: "Catch it underneath..." Quinn: "Exactly!" Frost: "Yeah- SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!" Favorite moment from this film. Even Deacon doesn't give af how dangerous Blade is.
Blade is the only reason we have Deadpool and an R rated Logan. It did what they did 20 years earlier. And Snipes proved he could still play the character, although he was apparently a pain in the a** filming the third one. Still know that he's the OG. All of Marvel needs to understand what these films did for it going forward.
wow dude you feel the same way about Blade as i do , He is the bad-assedist. And this film really felt like an action film and a vampire film, all in one nothing lacking.
It started in Marvels Tomb of Dracula #10. Blade 1& 2 are 2 9f the best vampire movies ever and at least imo,Deacon Frost was a great villain at the time
Yoo! I'm super glad you reviewed Blade! Hope Blade 2 is next! That's personally my favorite one out of the 3 😁 on that note, love your channel and keep up the gr8 work
Finally a review that does justice to this movie and this franchise. So sick of people glossing over the impact this film had not just on me, but the MCU and cinema in general. Its campy, gorey, over the top and fucking great. F the haters
I use to love fucking with people telling them that in the hospital scene when the guards shoot at him and he's like "Mother fucker have you lost your mind?" That Wesley broke character and he sounds like Wesley and not Blade. If I remember correct Blade was in a spider man animated series and he and spiderman fight Morbius.
16:10 There's a deleted scene of Frost becoming the vampire god La Magra where instead of getting red eyes and regeneration he becomes a giant blood tornado and the CG's really bad.
At least Wesley Snipes costume looks comfortable than the costume of superheroes costume of later and today's movie film that all the actor and actresses complaining about their costumes. Also you should watch Brandon Lee's "The Crow" of 1994 and Alec Baldwin's "The Shadow" of 1994.
The opening is one of the best, for sure, the best one i think is Scream, but Blade is certainly in conversation. Also, the music is great, that rave/techno!!! Also, Stephen Dorff and his character is cool too imo.
Remember seeing this in theaters and thinking this was a kick ass vampire movie that could be an awesome franchise. I was 2/3rds right lol. Blade Trinity almost killed it.
Nice to see your enthusiasm for this classic! I agree with virtually everything you said. However, while I do concur that the CGI or special effects are dated, there's a quaint lack of sophistication to them that I find appealing. And I must second your final "nitpick" regarding the inconsistent power dynamics. It's a frequent complaint I've had with respect to movies that feature characters with superhuman or supernatural abilities. When building a world, filmmakers too often fail to clearly define - or even adhere to - the rules they set forth, and as a consequence they can sometimes appear random or arbitrary. Overall, a great review!
Cody, back in th day my buddy used to live in an apartment where one elevator only went to certain floors, and I actually had to take 2 elevators to get to his floor. Weird but not abnormal, just letting you know since you brought up the scene where she enters 2 elevators. It's also a big thing at fancier hotels and even cruise ships.
for the longest time i actually thought Ryan Reynolds was playing a different alternate universe version of Deadpool in Blade Trinity, (sorry if I annoy any die hard Deadpool fans) then I was annoyed when i found out Reynolds' character was Hannibal King, It would be cool to see Wesley Snipes' Blade and Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool interact, Blade would find Deadpool super annoying in an instant but he may evantually warm up to Wade, despite this i've never gotten round to watch The 3 Blade Films, and did you know originally at the end of Blade (1998) there was a deleted ending where Blade sees a mysterious figure in black on a rooftop from a distance, that was supposed to be Morbuis; The Living Vampire who was meant to be the big bad for Blade 2
Great review Cody keep up the brilliant work you do for us. I was scared of vampires for so long then last year I decided I wanted to like vampire movies. So I watched blade for the first time and my god by the end of the movie I was in love with vampires.
