WARNING: This Article May Contain Spoilers
It’s funny to think that the red shirt and long leather coat that was worn by Wesley Snipes throughout the films, wasn’t Blade’s original look. You’ll find images of him with an afro, wearing a lime green jacket and bandolier of stakes – I don’t think this would have looked as cool on screen as the look we have all come to know. I also find it interesting that Multiverse of Madness was discussed as the Marvel horror film….did everyone forget that Blade is Marvel? The second film terrified me on first watch!
Passenger 57
First off, I just want to voice my displeasure about how predictable it was that Sabrina was in league with the hijackers, because she happened to be English. Unfortunately, the 90s were the decade that this theme really gained some steam. However, what’s pretty funny is that Snipes plays a FBI agent turned airline security officer that’s afraid of flying – doesn’t make much sense! Those of you who have seen Wesley’s action films I’m sure are aware that he is trained in Martial Arts, but this is actually the first time for me that it feels like an out of place art form. Does Wesley not know any other way to fight?
To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar
This is probably not the kind of film anyone would expect Wesley Snipes to do, not only because it would be perceived as a comedy in certain ways…but also because you’ll be watching this muscular, martial arts trained, action film actor in dresses. Now, he doesn’t make the perfect woman thanks to his masculine features but towards the end of the film, the outfits chosen start to mask this and he looks almost as feminine as his co-stars…but Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo kind of steal the show on that front.
White Men Can’t Jump
This film starts out as a comedy, Snipes prancing around the basketball court, but as it continues and we get to dig a little deeper into the characters’ stories – you realise this actually a serious film. I’m sure you would naturally assume that it’s Harrelson that brings the comedy but you would be wrong. It’s Wesley Snipes. From his silly poses to his impression of the Godfather, he breaks the tension of the underlying story of Billy and Gloria owing some gangsters money. The question you really need to ask yourself is, is Snipes the hero or the villain in this story? Hear me out. He’s the hero because he gets Billy out of the sticky situation with Gloria by helping her get on Jeopardy like she’s always wanted. However, as soon as he needs the money, he goes to Billy who he knows has a gambling problem to play basketball for money once again – ultimately destroying the relationship he helped put back together.
Honorary Mentions Now, it’s not a secret that Wesley slightly dropped off the radar acting-wise but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have prolific acting career. For example, before his first performance as Blade Wesley starred alongside future MCU star Robert Downey Jnr in U.S Marshals and worked with Sylvester Stallone in the great dystopian film, Demolition Man. Around the time of Wesley troubles he was starring in the TV series The Player which for me was a great loss when it ended as viewers were still probably trying to work out Wesley’s character, Mr Johnson’s, motives
