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Parents' Guide to

Blade

By Danny Brogan, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Superhero vampire film has extreme violence, gore, language.

Movie R 1998 120 minutes
Blade Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 16 parent reviews

age 18+

Some MFers Are Always Trying To Ice-Skate Uphill

Best vampire movie ever in my opinion. Full of action, violence, blood, gore, along with a badass hero. Blade is a half-human, half-vampire who uses his powers to save humanity from the evil vampires. His mentor and fellow hunter is Whistler, an old man who's tougher than he looks. I also thought the vampire Deacon Frost was an interesting villain. He ain't no Dracula, but he was still a pretty evil, power-hungry bloodsucker with no regard for human life. He's the kind of a**hole you want Blade to kick the crap out of. Quinn and Mercury were also good vampire henchmen. Watching them get slain and turned to ash by Blade was so satisfying. Pearl, the 1000 pound vampire record keeper was a bit much, but you have to appreciate the time and effort it took to create that character. It's only offensive if you let it be offensive. I've known people who are morbidly obese and they didn't give one thought to that scene. They enjoyed the whole movie for what it was. Besides, Pearl's a vampire who killed children. So he doesn't really deserve sympathy. Overall, this movie is awesome and I would recommend it to anyone who's a fan of Marvel and/or vampire movies.
age 15+

Action but fun!

This film is full of gore and violence but very much in a cartoon way. Don’t think it deserves the 18 but very much a 15. It’s really great for a hallow’een watch for older children.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (16 ):
Kids say (26 ):

It may reside in the Marvel superhero franchise, but this violent 1998 vampire hunter movie is most definitely not for kids. However, if you're looking for nonstop action, a kick-ass antihero, and a plot that doesn't require you to think too hard, then look no further. Blade -- the first of a trinity of films -- provided the perfect vehicle for martial arts enthusiast Snipes to showcase his talents. The close combat fights between Blade and all who cross him are the movie's standout scenes, while Dorff brings a certain coolness to the movie's villain, the power-hungry, rebellious Deacon Frost.

Some of the dialogue is a tad clunky, although it continues to get quoted even today -- "Some motherf----rs are always trying to ice skate uphill," being one example. And the plot has enough holes to drive several stakes through. However, make no mistake about the impact Blade made on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This was the movie that confirmed that there was an audience desperate to see their comic book heroes on the big screen. As for Blade himself, well, he lives to fight another day, with Marvel Studios confirming a reboot starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali in the lead role.

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