Some of the most moving narratives in the world beyond the traditional inspirational offering are where tragedy and monsters intersect. Such stories agitate the undercurrent of emotions. It leads one to find compassion for the plight of a fiend born out of circumstance. It seeks to connect with the light in the darkness. More than a few tales draw this emotion; one, in particular, is that of Blade.
In 1998 Stephen Norrington brought the tragic story of a man born half monster to cinemas worldwide. And it was a most unexpected success.
Who Is Blade?
Blade has been a fixture in comic book history since the 70s. He was introduced in Marvel Comics in 1973. Blade was born Eric Brooks. He was birthed a hybrid, the offspring of a mother who, before his entrance into the world, was in the throes of vampiric transformation. Consequently, he was born with dual natures, both human and vampire.
He inherited the powers of the undead but also the bloodlust. Deacon Frost was the loathsome creature of the night responsible for his plight. Like all those scathed by the pang of destiny, Brooks sought to find the fiend of all fiends, Frost. His moniker Blade came about due to his prowess and his unparalleled show of skill in the use of such. As IGN Notes,
“True to his name, Blade brandished blades of all types, from teak wood daggers for staking to a lethal double-edged sword. He used them without mercy against any vampire who got in his way.”
Blade Feature Film: The Premise/Plot
Blade, the feature film which sought to breathe life into the tortured hybrid anti-hero, hit theaters in the late summer of 1998. It was pegged action, horror, sci-fi, and aptly so. Although it may not be in the top 14 action films of the 90s, it easily fits in the top twenty.
The film was a two-hour action-packed feature of a jilted man whose anger with the circumstances of his birth and the plight of his life drive him to revenge. And he exercises extreme prejudice against even those with whom he shares a blood tie. The film follows this dark, brooding, intense, and calculating figure on his quest to exact his plan and satisfy the other thirst which courses through his veins.
Blade: The Characters
There are four titular characters in the original Blade flick. Kris Kristofferson takes the role of Whistler’s Blades parental stand-in, advisor, and mentor. Then there is N’Bushe Wright, who becomes Karen, the woman Blade invests with, who ultimately fulfills his plans. As the ultimate antagonist, there is Stephen Dorff as Deacon Frost. And as the lead, Wesley Snipes stands in as the dark hybrid on a mission. Together this team of professionals made this film palpable. In a true demonstration of talent, they moved the masses and revived interest in Marvel. As IndieWire notes,
“The Wesley Snipes vampire classic provided an early blueprint for its many successes to come and redeemed the brand’s status in Hollywood.”
It was this talented cast, along with the movement of the story, that made the film the success it was.
2024 will mark the release of the MCU’s adaptation barring no future delays. Blade will again shine on the big screen for an entirely new generation. The ongoing concern is that it will not live up to expectations. As with many other films before it, this too will falter, will fall flat, and once and for all prove the theory that most classics should be left alone. In the slim chance this film will succeed, here are a few things the 2024 Blade needs to encompass to win at the box office.
Blade Will Fail Without the Right Characterization
Blade is ultimately calm and collected, yet vicious. He is a walking dichotomy. But how can he not be so as he is torn between two worlds?
He has no liberation; he is a slave to passions beyond his control. He had darkness thrust upon him. His passions are twin flames, bloodlust, and anger for the vile things he now shares kindred with. And Wesley Snipes conveys all with such nuanced perfection. His very stature. His demeanor. He was the living embodiment of what a hybrid with a taste for retribution would look like. And so, his successor Mahershala Ali must deliver a similar personification to be anywhere near successful. While these are big shoes to fill, knowing Ali’s stature and work, it is possible he can pull it off.
Blade Will Falter if the Story Is Ineffectual
There is something special about the setup/movement of the story. It is almost poetic, as everything about this film moves like a poem without measure. The story has so much depth, from the undertow of pain to triumph. The acceptance of what is and the dance between light and shadow, yin and yang, is like an echoing refrain. Yet there is a roughness that cuts through the deep undertones. Fundamentally the adaptation of Blade from comic to screen was masterful. This is a movement the upcoming MCU movie must get right or surpass.
Blade Needs Similar or Better Effects
For a 1998 film, the grotesque detail was incomparable. One could compare its graphic nature to the visceral scenes in current movies such as the 2023 Evil Dead Rise, which had moments that made the skin crawl. The scenes are bold, in your face, from the tearing of sinews and the rending of flesh to the bloody explosions of crimson rivers. It is impressive and must be kept if the film has a chance to move the masses. This likely means the film must maintain an R-rating, with Deadpool 3 setting that precedent in the MCU.
The upcoming feature has a lot to live up to. And the track record of films that attempted to surpass their original counterparts has failed miserably. But one always hopes that one will succeed. And this film has just as much possibility as the many that preceded it. Let’s hope that this time the tide turns, and hope is restored. However, it may be a while before fans actually get to see the reboot. It was announced that filming was recently shut down due to the writer’s strike. But when it is to premiere, let’s be more than hopeful that it will cut the mustard and be something audiences can relish.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
