Wesley Snipes Returns in 2007 Blade Trinity
The Daywalker returns to battle Dracula in this latest installment
Aug 21, 2009 Christopher Sharman
After the breakneck pace and success of the first two films it was probably sadly inevitable that the third instalment of the Blade franchise would fall rather flat. Wesley Snipes is present and correct as the half vampire Blade, and this time he is up against the daddy of all vampires: Dracula, named Drake here (Dominic Purcell). After being framed for murdering a familiar (the term used for humans who serve vampires) posing as a vampire, Blade is pursued by the human authorities, Drake, and then joins forces with a group of human vampire hunters: the Nightstalkers.
Unfortunately Blade Trinity falls into the third film trap, which is becoming increasingly common, it seems to just be taking the mickey out of itself and the entire concept. Blade and Blade 2 were action/horror and action films respectively. They weren’t supposed to be taken seriously and always had an edge of humour running through them but they also didn’t give the impression that a half human half vampire fighting other vampires is ridiculous.
Plot and Introduction Of The Nightstalkers
Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel take the rolls of Hannibal King (a vampire who used the cure developed in the first film to become human again) and Abigail Whistler (Whistler’s illegitimate daughter). Reynolds, probably best known for Van Wilder and unfortunately gives a Van Wilder-type performance here, insulting Blade and making humorous comments. These do make the audience laugh but they also rob the film of the tongue in cheek action that made the previous two so enjoyable.
Purcell does well as Drake, and similarly to Nomak (the second film's villian), seems to be a more reluctant bad guy, he kidnaps a baby but does not hurt it, and simply uses it as a distraction to enable him to escape Blade. He also recognises Blade fighting with honour and respects him for it. One of the possible continuity errors is that Drake is capable of withstanding the daylight, and if vampires descend from him, then why are they unable to go out in the day when he can?
Around Drake the other vampires are simply not threatening.
Jarko Grimwood (wrestler Paul "Triple H" Levesque) has two silver fangs for some reason, and Danica Talos (Parker Posey) and Asher Talos (Callum Keith Rennie) are just poor substitutes for the previous mervelous villians from Blade and Blade 2: Frost and Nomak.
The End Of The Blade Franchise
The fight sequences are impressive with Blade and Drake engaging in a bone-shattering final battle, unfortunately, the rest of the films lacks the pace of the previous two. It seems that Snipes is just going through the motions and has grown a little tired of playing the daywalker. He also doesn’t seem to be as physically imposing or have the screen presence that he had before.
Drake describes vampires as shadows of their former selves and sadly his words sum up this film. The first two Blade films were thoroughly entertaining, and a joy to watch, Blade Trinity has enough humorous moments courtesy of Reynolds to keep you laughing, but a mickey-take of the Blade universe is not what you want to see.
The possibility of another sequel is left open, however, Blade is one of those series of films that has reached its end. The Nightstalkers might do better if they were given their own film, because unfortunately unlike the Bloodpack of Blade 2, neither King nor Abigail can hold their own standing side-by-side with Blade and look a bit silly fighting vampires Blade would cut down in a heartbeat.
2/5
The first time you’ll laugh, and every subsequent viewing you’ll be entertained but this is where the Blade franchise should end. Watch one of the other two. Watch Trinity if you’re a fan of Reynolds, and avoid if you aren’t.
Blade Trinity
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