"Blade" was a campy fantasy flick about the underground world of vampires and their superslayer nemesis. It didn't propel its star, Wesley Snipes, to superstar status, nor did it garner critical acclaim. The 1998 film was mildly entertaining and nothing more.
"Blade" wasn't exactly a cultural phenomenon, yet in 2002 the studio cranked out an unnecessary sequel, "Blade II."
If number two was unnecessary, then this year's third installment is just plain uncalled for.
The first "Blade" was fun because it introduced us to the vampire world, its rules and characters. We learned that Blade was a hybrid - half human, half vampire - and that he slaughtered vampires for personal, vindictive reasons.
"Blade: Trinity" doesn't provide any new insights into this world. Rather, it functions within the same-old realm.
In short: "Blade: Trinity" serves no purpose.
The film's unexceptional plot is, by far, its weakest aspect. It involves a vampire scheme to resurrect the original Dracula from his resting place in the Syrian Desert. Blade teams up with a pair of hip, young vampire slayers to derail the evil plan.
"Van Wilder" funnyman Ryan Reynolds plays one of these young renegades along with former "7th Heaven" star Jessica Biel. Both earn their money. The ripped Reynolds cracks some witty one-liners while Biel seems to harness Jennifer Garner á la "Alias" as she kicks butt with an iPod strapped just below her bare midriff.
As the title character, Snipes shows some extremely brief moments of theatrical range. It's a slight improvement from his earlier attempts. Good for him.
"Trinity's" undeniable showstopper is an appearance from indy queen Parker Posey as an evil vampire dominatrix. The casting is so outrageously misguided here that Posey's mere presence on screen will evoke scoffs and embarrassed laughter from the audience.
The disbelief that a reputed independent star would actually appear in a films such as "Blade:Trinity" is further enhanced when John Michael Higgins, Posey's cohort in "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind," also turns up as a villain.
At least "Blade: Trinity" offers some decent action scenes, which is probably the primary selling point for most of its demographic. Despite this, a sweet assault combination will never be a substantial substitute for ingenuity and substance.
