Blade: Trinity is Still Dumb but Layered 20 Years Later

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As a fan who lived through the turbulent times of Blade: Trinity, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and bemusement when I look back at this cinematic rollercoaster ride. This movie was like that eccentric uncle everyone has – unpredictable, sometimes annoying, but ultimately endearing in its own unique way.

It appears that many fans are eager for more Blade, as Wesley Snipes’ portrayal of the character in recent films like Deadpool and Wolverine seems to have won him back some favor. However, let’s not forget about the less than ideal events on the set of Blade: Trinity, which some may choose to forget. Yes, you’re correct, there was a third film that some have overlooked due to its poor quality and negative impact on the franchise and potential spin-offs. Given that it’s been twenty years since its release and vampires are timeless, now might be a good opportunity to refresh our memories about this chapter in Blade’s story.

Blade: Trinity, while not the worst comic book movie ever produced, is still considered disappointing compared to its predecessors by many viewers. Interestingly, despite facing numerous production issues and studio interference, the fact that this film was completed at all is somewhat remarkable.

David S. Goyer is primarily recognized for his writing prowess, crafting scripts for all Christian Bale Batman films, Dark City, and numerous other successful productions. However, what catches my attention is that he penned a made-for-TV Nick Fury movie featuring David Hasselhoff and an episode of Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin’?. Despite initially struggling to direct, Goyer took the helm, having only previously directed one minor project. His initial script for the film was significantly darker, but the studio demanded alterations, even eliminating a proposed intimate scene between Blade (played by Wesley Snipes) and Abigail Whistler (Jessica Biel). Some of his casting choices were criticized, and he was pressured to hire a wrestler. The main challenges, though, lay with the lead actor.

Similar to how Goyer scripted all three Blade films, Wesley Snipes played the lead character in each. However, it’s said that the actor was disgruntled throughout the entire production process. He reportedly disliked the revisions in the scripts, Goyer being appointed as director, the addition of more supporting characters, the humor of his co-stars, and a misunderstanding over an extra’s shirt. All these factors allegedly made Snipes challenging to work with, as he often arrived on set under the influence, refused to participate in scenes unless it was just close-ups, and even refused to do basic actions like opening his eyes. These behaviors significantly delayed production, prompting the use of CGI to include him in many shots or to create reactions, including using fake eyes at one point. Despite being an executive producer on the project, Snipes denies several of these accusations.

During his time in trailers or on set, it’s said that Snipes primarily spoke through an intermediary or used Post-it notes, signing them as “Blade.” When filming scenes with others, the actor supposedly remained in character, scarcely conversing and speaking in ways that sounded more like his iconic role, only responding to “Blade.” Whether this was an intense form of method acting, a mental state, or a defiant gesture is unclear.

The best casting of the film was Paul Levesque, better known as WWE wrestler Triple H. You’ll know his character by the nose and that vampire pomeranian he carries around. Higher-ups at New Line Cinema insisted on including a professional wrestler for a cameo role, and Goyer was, somewhat understandably, against the idea after their other interferences. The director ended up loving H, not just because he’s a cool guy, but because The Game got what they were doing and nailed the comedic timing, along with the fight scenes. Goyer actually expanded Levesque’s role, and one of the vampire dogs was changed to a smaller breed to give him more to play off of. One of the girls Dracula (Dominic Purcell) kills is even wearing a Motorhead t-shirt, a band that performed multiple theme songs for Triple H, but that might be a coincidence. The biggest problem with H’s character is that someone named him Jarko Grimwood. What!?

While Blade: Trinity’s soundtrack isn’t as impactful as the first two in the series, it still includes some solid tracks such as “This Blood,” “Weapons of Mad Distortion,” and “Fatal.” However, compared to its predecessors in terms of reception and sales, it falls short. The soundtrack maintains a similar structure but seems somewhat misplaced, mirroring the more theatrical tone of the film with certain songs. Despite having good rhythms, it doesn’t leave as strong an impression. As a youngster, I listened to the Blade 1 & 2 albums extensively and opted not to purchase this one after hearing it. Ramin Djawadi, who has an impressive portfolio, composed the score for this film, but even his tunes seem a bit out of sync. They have energy, but they feel like they were meant for another project.

Okay, last thing. Something has always bothered me about the title Blade: Trinity. I know it’s supposed to represent the team-up of him, Hannibal King (Ryan Reynolds), and Abigail Whistler, but he clearly does not see them as equals, and they aren’t even working together at the conclusion of the movie, especially if we acknowledge the alternate ending with the werewolf. I’m saying there had to be a better name.

The movie isn’t terrible, but it appears to carry the scars of a troubled past. The subpar special effects and odd editing can be attributed to Snipe’s stubbornness, while some plot holes and overly tamed action sequences are likely due to the studio rushing revisions. However, by the end, it seemed like everyone involved had lost interest. It’s said that an early advertisement mistakenly credited Jessica Alba instead of Jessica Biel, or perhaps this was retaliation for her infamous camera incident with a bow. The marketing for the film appeared lackluster. Blade: Trinity’s poor performance is believed to have ended the franchise for many. This halted the Night Stalkers spin-off and potentially contributed to the cancellation of the planned Underworld crossover. Yes, the return of rights to their original owners dealt a heavier blow, but doesn’t it seem like the werewolf ending was intentionally left unclear?

In an interview, Patton Oswalt, who portrayed Hedges in the movie, stated that while Blade: Trinity might seem like a D-minus flick if you just watch it casually, understanding the struggles they faced during production elevates it to an A-plus in his opinion. Though I’m not entirely convinced, this perspective does help me understand and forgive some aspects of the movie more easily. David Goyer, on the other hand, who was involved with the film, expressed that nobody associated with Blade: Trinity was satisfied with the final product. He described it as a “very tortured production” and the “most personally and professionally difficult and painful thing” he had ever experienced. So, let’s remember the challenges they faced when considering a potential new Blade film or Snipes’ return to a larger role.

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2024-12-10 01:40