New Line

Blade is based on a Marvel comic book, but luckily it doesn't fall prey to the weaknesses that ruin most comic adaptions (Spawn comes to mind). While more of an action film than true horror, this film still has many great horrific moments, including an opening scene in a vampire nightclub that is one of the bloodiest scenes I've seen in an R-rated film. The vampire mythology set forth in Blade has many interesting new twists, and the idea of Blade as an anti-vampire Batman-type hero is cool.

The film does have a few flaws. First of all, the film introduces a class conflict between pureblood vampires and 'turned' vampires, but this intriguing premise is never properly explored. Secondly, the female hemolotologist character seems a little too obvious, both as a token female and in her too-coincidental career. And lastly, Blade as a character is never fully developed. In their attempts to keep him mysterious the viewer never finds out enough about Blade to empaphize with him. Despite these flaws this is still a top notch action film, and probably the best blend of horror and action I've seen. This is one film I would actually encourage a sequel to.

A