{"id":9228,"date":"2023-10-31T05:55:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T04:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moviestumper.com\/?p=9228"},"modified":"2023-10-31T05:55:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T04:55:04","slug":"how-blade-changed-superhero-movies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moviestumper.com\/how-blade-changed-superhero-movies\/","title":{"rendered":"How Blade Changed Superhero Movies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A General Overview<\/h2>\n

The 1998 superhero film Blade, starring Wesley Snipes as the titular hero, is widely credited with modernizing the superhero movie genre. Prior to Blade’s release, superhero films of the 1990s tended to be kiddie fare filled with standard action sequences and campy one-liners thrown in for good measure. But Blade brought a gritty, R-rated approach to the genre, setting the stage for films of a darker, grittier nature – films like X-Men, Spider-Man, and Iron Man. In this article, we take a look at how Blade changed superhero movies, and how its influence is still being felt today.<\/p>\n

The Director Who Changed the Genre<\/h2>\n

The man behind the success of Blade was director Stephen Norrington, who had already earned a reputation for inventive action sequences with his 1996 film Death Machine. Norrington was originally given the Blade script as a writing exercise and hadn’t planned on directing it, but he was so taken with the script that he agreed to direct it. His vision for the film was a dark and violent take on the vampire\/superhero motif, and it was a huge risk for the studio to take. But it paid off, as Norrington’s Blade was a box office success and established the director as one of the pioneers of the modern superhero film.<\/p>\n

The Impact of Blade on Its Own Genre<\/h2>\n

The success of Blade was an instant game changer in the world of superhero films. It was the first superhero film with an R rating and it ran counter to the typical children’s fare that had characterized the superhero genre until then. The movie was praised for its dark, gritty action sequences and its high production values, which set it apart from its peers. Its success ushered in a new era of superhero films, with X-Men, Spider-Man, and Iron Man following in its footsteps. The success of Blade opened up a world of possibilities for R-rated superhero films, and for films that don’t bow to the usual conventions of the genre.<\/p>\n

Blade’s Influence on the Genre Today<\/h2>\n

Today, the influence of Blade can still be seen in dozens of films. Blade was one of the first films to make use of computer-generated effects, paving the way for a new generation of superhero films that make use of groundbreaking special effects. It also broke new ground with its exploration of themes of race, gender, and sexuality, which are now commonplace in superhero films. In addition, the success of the film helped open up the possibility of diverse casting in superhero films, as well as smaller-budgeted films that take risks with their storytelling.<\/p>\n

Blade and Its Impact on Hollywood<\/h2>\n