Blade (1998)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Stephen Norrington

Writer (WGA):

David S. Goyer (written by)

Release Date:

21 August 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The power of an immortal. The soul of a human. The heart of a hero.

Plot:

A half-vampire, half-mortal man becomes a protector of the mortal race, while slaying evil vampires.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Blade | Blood | Revenge | Vampire Hunter

Awards:

4 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Wesley Snipes	...	Blade
Stephen Dorff	...	Deacon Frost
Kris Kristofferson	...	Abraham Whistler
N'Bushe Wright	...	Dr. Karen Jenson
Donal Logue	...	Quinn
Udo Kier	...	Vampire Elder Dragonetti
Arly Jover	...	Mercury
Traci Lords	...	Racquel
Kevin Patrick Walls	...	Officer Krieger
Tim Guinee	...	Dr. Curtis Webb
Sanaa Lathan	...	Vanessa Brooks
Eric Edwards	...	Pearl
Donna Wong	...	Nurse
Carmen Thomas	...	Senior Resident
Shannon Lee	...	Resident

Also Known As:

Blade, the Vampire Slayer (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong, pervasive vampire violence and gore, language, and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

120 min | Germany:110 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS-Stereo

Certification:

Malaysia:18SG | Portugal:M/16 | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Belgium:KNT | Canada:18A | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #35159) | Iceland:16 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Amen Ra Films

Trivia:

The first cut of the film had a disastrous test screening with audiences, and heavy edits and re-shoots were implemented which delayed the release date more than half a year. The most significant change was the addition of the final sword fight between Blade and Deacon Frost, which did not exist in the original version of the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the subway, Karen falls into the gap between the subway train and the walkway; the gap is wide enough for her to stand up and give Blade his sword. In all other shots, the gap between the train and the walkway is clearly three or four inches at most.

Quotes:

Blade: [Jumps from the top floor of the Temple of Eternal Night, and shouts] FFFRRROOOOOOSSST!
Deacon Frost: Kill him.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Dig This Vibe

The way a comic book flick should be made

I didn't see this movie until it appeared on television because I was doubtful about comic flicks. Ever since the "Batman" series, "Spawn," "Judge Dredd," and many other pitiful p.g.-13 bombs, I dodged everything at all cost. I would question in my mind, "why can't someone make a movie that is rated R and stays true to the story, how difficult is that?" And finally my prayers have been answered with Blade. This movie pops right out of the pages onto the screen with sheer violence, blood, martial arts, weapons, fire, the good against evil, etc. Yeah sure a lot of action flicks contain all these goodies, and most of them have bombed. But not Blade, the movie was filmed just right, not going overboard, delivering a good length and never a dull moment. Blade II is cool, but not as cool as the first. Blade is indeed one of the best real comic flicks I've seen in a long time.