Welcome to ‘Underrated’ some analysis of the films ignored by the critics, that deserve more recognition. Often our opinions are half made up before we even begin watching a film, thanks to the overwhelming amount of critical opinion now available on cinema. Therefore, I hope to shed some much-needed light on the films neglected by widespread audiences.
From the great Guillermo Del Toro is the underrated sequel
to Blade (1998). Blade II has somehow become forgotten in the marvel
universe, a booming industry that was largely established from the early successes
of the Blade franchise. Blade II takes our favourite Daywalker into new
territory as he is forced to form an unlikely alliance with the vampire nation.
Blade (Wesley Snipes) is recruited to help them fight against the Reapers – a mutant
strain of vampires that have an increased thirst for blood and a devastating
ability to infect fellow vampires with the reaper virus, rendering them a new
member of the reaper army. The rapidly growing Reaper population threatens
the existence of vampires, and soon the humans too. Upon recruiting Blade, The Vampire
council admits the gravity of the situation and why they desperately require
Blade's support. Blade works with The Bloodpack, an elite group of vampires vigorously
trained to defeat the Reaper threat. Blade's team and the Bloodpack are the last
line of defence that will fight to protect the vampire and human populations
against the destructive Reapers.
One of the Blade II’s great strengths is the sense of
nostalgia it brings when watching it in 2021. Blade II championed the
cartoonish, Kung-Fu style of fight scenes that show up in the matrix films too
and for me personally, this is an incredibly fun way to represent action in fantasy
cinema. Blade is a superhero, and his action scenes should have a ‘special’
feeling to them. In Marvel films of the last decade like The Avengers (2012)
the fight scenes often place focus on strength, speed, and special abilities.
However, the Blade II Kung-Fu style represents so much more than that,
for some it may be a little ‘over the top’ but the nostalgia it creates can be
so much more fun and cathartic.
As much as Blade II as a basic concept just seems underappreciated, this probably wouldn’t have been the case without the influence of director Guillermo Del Toro. He achieved great critical success for Pans Labyrinth (2006) but the costume and set design of Blade II feels so much like the distinctive Del Toro style that we know and love today. The Reaper’s are genuinely disturbing and scary, they have a strong identity and a genuine villain status, something that Del Toro is so effective in creating. Sure, the plot probably could have been developed further to create more of a relationship with Blade and the vampire nation, but aesthetically Blade II is very much underrated. Along with the visual positives, Del Toro represents Blade in the most respectful way possible. Highlighting his many strengths, whilst illuminating his flaws too.
It’s also important to acknowledge how perfect Wesley Snipes was for the lead role of Blade. Snipes uses simplicity and subtlety very effectively as he plays the macho action figure with charm and dignity. Some of the lines can be considered cliché to some, but Snipes manages to completely immerse himself into the role, delivering each line with a cool defiance. There’s little time for romance and sensitivities, Blade only has time for bravery and action. Snipes provided this in abundance.
Blade II is criminally underrated, and it is no surprise
that Guillermo Del Toro has forged ahead with a brilliant career from his early
successes. A film that proved to be a springboard for the Marvel Cinematic
universe that is so dominant today.
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