Blade Trilogy The Ultimate Collection
June 2005 Reviewed by: Anthony Di Marco Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Vampire mythology isn’t simple in the world of Blade. It is neither magic nor witchcraft but a genetic anomaly that has caused the blood hunger in Blade. Called the "Daywalker," he is half-human, half-bloodsucking, a hybrid created when his natural mother is bitten by a vampire while pregnant with him. No such creature could exist in traditional vampire mythology, where there is no middle ground -- either you’re the undead or you’re not. Blade is alive, but where is his soul? Both the comic book and the film present his loss of soul as a metaphor for the conflict between his human and vampire halves.

Blade’s surrogate father is the crusty old mechanical genius Whistler. He raised Blade to exact revenge against vampires for the death of his wife and other children. Blade has all the powers of vampires with none of their weaknesses, but he will "turn" if he succumbs to the hunger. Pseudo-science and medical mumbo jumbo offer a suitable serum that keeps Blade’s hunger at bay.

The initial Blade film did not impress me the first time I saw it. The story depicts vampires as a secret subculture living among humans. This "Vampire Nation" is led by aristocrat "purebreds" that prefer staying under cover. A lone radical named Deacon Frost -- a half-breed like Blade --sees his kind as the next logical step in human evolution. All they need to do is unleash a great vampire spirit to lead their conquest of humanity. The action scenes are beautiful to watch and Wesley Snipes is perfectly cast as Blade, a sexy, kick-ass "Shaft" of the vampire world.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Blade II is my favorite and the most accomplished of the series. The Vampire Nation enlists the help of Blade to destroy the mysterious and vicious Reapers. The Reapers are purportedly the next step in vampire evolution by way of a natural mutation. The Reapers’ jaws bifurcate into deadly mandibles that lock onto their prey. They suck blood like a vacuum when their barbed tongues penetrate the skin of their victims, injecting paralyzing venom. The mechanism is grotesque, but in a beautifully artful way that only director del Toro could deliver. Music and casting also better the original film. Marco Beltrami’s mix of orchestra and electronica propel the story forward with elegance, and Ron Perlman nails his role as Reinhardt, the bad-ass lieutenant of the Vampire Nation’s Special Forces. The final act resonates with an epic grandeur befitting a Shakespearean tragedy.

When I heard that Dracula would be making an appearance in the third Blade film, I expected an adventure even more epic than Blade II. Unfortunately Blade: Trinity is the least impressive entry of this very successful franchise. Good casting and a few well-executed scenes save it from being a total bore. Parker Posey and funnyman Ryan Reynolds do what they can with a poor script, while Wesley Snipes holds the whole mess together with considerable charisma. And Dracula, forget him; Parker Posey’s Danica Talos is more sinister and threatening as the head female vamp of the struggling Vampire Nation. An interrogation scene between Danica and Blade offers the movie’s only moment of genuine creepiness.

New Line’s DVD production has always been outstanding. Each film looks fantastic: crisp, clean, and three-dimensional. Blade II edges out the others with true reference-quality color saturation and contrast levels. Reds and blacks are gorgeous, with resolution approaching high definition. Audio is stunning on Blade II and excellent on the first and third films. Deep bass and an immersive surround mix make the most out of Guillermo del Toro’s twisted imagination.

Blade II again outdoes the other two films with its insightful extras. While David Goyer pats himself on the back, del Toro side-steps self-promotion and gives the audience honest comments on what he liked and did not like about the production. Deleted scenes and the "Making Of" documentaries are pretty good overall.

The more I watched these films, the more I liked them. Despite their obvious flaws, they deliver solid entertainment, some memorable characters, and way-cool special effects. Wesley Snipes is a brilliant casting choice. His cockiness and screen presence coupled with his vulnerability make him a perfect superhero. It is sad to see the last film of the series wrap. Perhaps the upcoming Spike TV series will successfully carry on the franchise. To do this Snipes needs to be signed on. Without him, Blade will have no bite.

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