2. Blade (1998)
1998’s Blade was the film that started it all. A relatively early entry into the superhero genre, the film can be credited as a huge inspiration on modern superhero cinema. It brought the Marvel character to life in live-action, albeit with a degree of creative license. The additions and changes to the established character and his story was somewhat controversial to die-hard fans, but the film primarily impressed with its edgy atmosphere and brutal violence.
Snipes’ performance as Blade in the movie came to define the character in the years to come. His stoic demeanor and vehement hatred of vampires is evident from the off, with just a hint of tragedy peppered in to make him a truly tortured hero. Combined with gleeful and glib vampire antagonists, Blade is an excellent first movie for the trilogy.
Unfortunately, its status as the first film comes with a downside. The necessary exposition is clunkily delivered, and despite a number of excellent aesthetic touches the film’s visual effects have grown incredibly dated. Though 1998’s Blade remains an excellent film, it’s still not the best of the Snipes trilogy.