Blade MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

When his mother is bitten by a vampire, the unborn Blade inherits some vampire genetic qualities like superhuman strength and quick healing from mortal wounds. But he also is immune to things that kill vampires, like sunlight, silver and garlic. Blade (Wesley Snipes) wages an almost one-man war to wipe out vampires in revenge for killing his mother and creating him. Aided by weapons maker Abraham Whistler (Kris Kristofferson), he uses an arsenal of silver coated bullets, silver stakes, garlic mace and a samurai's sword to dispatch vampires by the roomful. But Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff), a human turned vampire has plans to use Blade. Rejected by vampire leadership because he wasn't "born vampire," he kills his most vocal challenger and takes out his fangs. Frost discovers an ancient text that tells how the blood of a special person like Blade can be used to release a super vampire. Along the way, Blade rescues Dr. Karen (N'Bushe Wright), a blood specialist who becomes an ally in finding ways to kill vampires and possibly cure Blade. But Frost has a few surprises that may kill Blade first.

Lots of action with a strong, almost silent hero against a morally corrupt evil leader makes for some exciting fight scenes but the gory bloodbaths may turn squeamish viewers away. While the frequent fight scenes are well choreographed and the special effects amazing, the violence and gore is almost non-stop. Viewers are treated with sights like blood spraying out of fire sprinklers at a vampire disco, bloody necks and mouths as vampires feed, and bodies that swell to bloody explosions. When Blade shoots vampires, they dissolve into glowing ashes. When exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet, vampire bodies blister and smoke until the body explodes. Blade also injects a special serum to keep his "blood thirst" at bay and the needle is shown being put into his neck. The ancient texts read by Frost are referred to as the vampire "Bible" and one vampire refers to becoming gods when Blade is sacrificed. Whistler also comments that crosses and holy water affecting vampires is myth. Foul language is used frequently including many f- and s-words as well as God's name used in vain 6 times. One scene implies a sex act being performed and there are a few scenes of sensual kisses but no nudity is show. Although the hero seems to care about protecting humans, with excessive gore, violence and foul language BLADE fails to make the cut for quality viewing.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: New Line Cinema