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The Alternative Library

Blade: Trinity (2004)

Movie Review by JJ Collins

Director: David S. Goyer

Writer(s): Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan

Cast: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Dominic Purcell, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds, Parker Posey

Wesley Snipes returns as the butt-kicking vampire killer in this third installment of the Blade series, this time to face the greatest vampire of them all. Yes, you guessed it, Dracula. Interestingly, my primary criticism of this film was the casting of Dominic Purcell as Dracula. (In the film Dracula received the updated moniker "Drake.") I thoroughly enjoyed Purcell in the short-lived Fox drama John Doe. It was a great concept that seemed to fall apart due to lack of forethought by the writers. The show gradually degraded as the audience was fed one red herring after another and it became apparent even the creators didn't know who or what John Doe was.

Anyway, back to Blade: Trinity. Dominic was buff, possessed a cool cgi-enhanced shape-shifting ability and leered at all the appropriate cues. However, the entire time it felt as though something was amiss. Possibly I was biased from his good guy character in John Doe. It's not that Purcell was bad. I simply believe he was miscast. There are a great many other actors who could have pulled off a much more menacing Dracula. They did formulate an interesting reason for Dracula's presence that tied into the technological undercurrent present in all Blade films. I won't reveal that here.

Due to a series of events a sullen Blade ends up wanted by the FBI, back against the wall and begrudgingly joins forces with the Nightstalkers, a band of vampire hunters. Enter a thoroughly worked out Jessica Biel as Abigail, the daughter of Whistler (Kris Kristofferson). She jammed out with her iPod for each major battle. (I wonder how she acquired those mp3s!) Biel was in excellent shape and demonstrated some cool moves, surprising a band of thug vamps with a great new weapon, early on in the film.

Ryan Reynolds as Hannibal King was great, tossing in funny one-liners. I've never actually seen Reynolds in any other films, but if I remembered nothing else about this film it was how worked out this guy is. His abs were ridiculous. Also quite entertaining was the always fabulous Parker Posey-if ever a natural vamp there was. The chemistry between Posey and Reynolds was great. Imagine being human (there's a bit more about that that I won't reveal) but then having to deal with a pissed off undead ex who essentially threatens to give you immortality just so she can give you hell for eternity.

All in all if you're a Blade fan, I don't think you'll be disappointed. There's plenty action, a lot of fight scenes and great looking bodies all around. It's got something for everyone.

4 out of 5 stars

After viewing this film do you agree? Disagree? Have something informative to add? I'd love to hear from you. Gimmie a shout at jjcollins@midnighttimes.com