5 greatest moments from the Blade Trilogy

Hollywood was different in the 90s; Marvel wasn’t the behemoth it is today and comic book movies didn’t rule the box office. Then, The Blade Trilogy – based on a c-list Marvel character – happened, and perception changed. Aside from Wesley Snipe’s apparent awesomeness, the film’s appeal was how grounded it was in reality – an approach Marvel embraces today.

Born Eric Brooks, Blade is a half-human, half-vampire anti-hero who hunts vampires for fun, but also because they killed his mother while pregnant with him. He has all their strength but none of their weakness (he could walk in daylight), except the bloodthirst. Blade enjoys killing vampires, and he does so in style: the badder the vampire, the more stylish the death.

The Blade Trilogy is praised for Snipe’s performance – a fine blend of charisma, smooth martial art, and perfect delivery of one-liners. But, also, its style, CGI, and R-rating – a rarity for comic book films back then (even now). Marvel announced it was resurrecting the franchise in the next MCU chapter with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali playing Blade. It remains uncertain when Ali’s Blade will debut and if it will operate within the MCU.

While we wait, let’s look at the most fantastic moments from the original Blade Trilogy.

The club massacre

This club massacre, which introduced the character in the first Blade film, remains one of the best fight scenes in the trilogy. Blade infiltrates a vampire club just as some vampires are about to feast on a human.

The scene, with its R-rated setting, set the mood for the brutality to follow. It also introduced viewers to Blade’s hatred for vampires, his penchant for style and his delight at their suffering. You will not find a more iconic character introduction scene.

Killing Deacon Frost

The final act of the original Blade sees the character go after Deacon Frost, a power-thirsty vampire trying to resurrect the vampire god, La Magra, whose existence spells doom for humans. Of course, Blade carries this mission with style and swagger, slicing bodies and cracking bones. But the main event is the epic showdown between him and an improved Frost; it has plenty of WTF moments, including Blade cutting Frost in half, thinking he’s won, only for Frost to become whole again.

Blade vs the ninja vampires

Blade II departs further from the comic book caricature with director Guillermo Del Toro’s infusion of other film genres, from horror or Hong Kong action cinema. This scene sees Blade fight two ninja vampires in one of the series best-choreographed fight scenes ever to hit our screens.

Avenging Whistler

No one messes with Blade, and his boy, Scud, learned the hard way. After losing Whistler in the first film, Blade picks up Scud to assist with his mission. Scud brings innovation, providing modern weapons, but he, apparently, is a double agent.  His death is fittingly spectacular for a traitor.

Blade vs. Drake

Blade Trinity doesn’t stand out as much as the first two films (no thanks to its camp approach), but the final faceoff between Blade and the film’s villain, Drake (Dracula), is a fitting end to the trilogy.

Catch all three movies in The Blade Collection on Showmax.