Blade

:

Season 1
Metascore
49

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 5 out of 15

Critic Reviews

  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    75
    The more it progresses, the more surprises it unwraps, and the more promise it presents.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    75
    To love the series, it helps to be exactly Spike TV's target market - a young guy who, when he can't be out drinking beer and throwing up with his friends, loves nothing more than to sit in front of a giant-screen TV doing all of the above.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Gillian Flynn
    75
    When gunplay, kickboxing, and throat slitting actually feel like breaks in the action, you've got a series with brains as well as teeth. [28 Jul 2006, p.55]
    All this critic's reviews
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    70
    "Blade: The Series" is pretty good, really, as these things go.
  6. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    70
    With a gorgeous cast (even -- especially? -- the dead ones), plenty of cool slow-mo martial arts action, a glorious collection of lethal hardware and an intriguing plot, Blade's got something for the whole family, provided they rank somewhere between the Munsters and the Mansons in sensibility.
  7. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Philip A. Stephenson
    70
    Although most viewers will notice a scale-down in the scope of effects and stunts, the style, the look and the impact are much the same as in the films.
  8. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    60
    Despite the loud music and all the supposedly ominous foolishness, blood that even spatters the camera lenses, and a sexy proto-vamp who often manages to wear almost no clothes (OK, maybe not despite her), I kind of liked the stupid thing.
  9. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    50
    "Blade" could work as an earnest fantasy. It just doesn't, yet.
  10. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Anita Gates
    50
    Surprisingly inoffensive.
  11. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Richmond
    40
    Quite the bloodletting experience, even gratuitously so.
  12. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    30
    Certainly a superhero needs to have gravitas, but Jones takes it too far -- further than Wesley Snipes in the "Blade" movies.
  13. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    25
    A tediously bloody bore.
  14. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    20
    [It] comes up more than a bit short.
  15. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    20
    Feels more like a bland swig of plasma than the bloody romp that it ought to be.
  16. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    10
    It's just more of the same martial artlessness. I kept expecting to see Batman-style OOF! BAM! graphics on screen.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best TV Season of 2006
36
#36 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 84
  3. Negative: 15 out of 84
  1. KelvinSelimor
    Sep 8, 2023
    8
    Blade: The Series. Season 1. Sequel to "Trinity". A good serial continuation of the hunt for vampires. The “new” Blade in the face of StickyBlade: The Series. Season 1. Sequel to "Trinity". A good serial continuation of the hunt for vampires. The “new” Blade in the face of Sticky Fingaz looks great. Unfortunately the show didn't get a sequel due to low ratings and we'll never know what happened after the final scene.… Full Review »
  2. Kai82
    Mar 6, 2020
    10
    A much underappreciated series. The main problem of the series was for many people that Blade was not played by Wesley Snipes. For the series:A much underappreciated series. The main problem of the series was for many people that Blade was not played by Wesley Snipes. For the series: The story is brilliant with amazing intrigues / plotting and well suited actors in it. The main story is about infiltrating and stopping a vampire clan. The other main plot is about the intrigues of various clans and leadership struggles in the infiltrated clan. They have a big scheme running that can change the balance of power in the vampire world forever. The story becomes only better with each plot twist, intrigues and changes in loyalty. For the world building: The series deepen the lore with interesting things. It shows the inside of vampire clans, their struggles with other clans, infighting, what it means to be transformed and the differences in clans. Also vampire are supremacist. Turned vampires are looked down by born vampires (More like a form of second class citizens, because you can obtain ranks / power but you wont be the supreme leader). For the characters: Kirk Jones does a good job as Blade and yes I know he is not Wesley Snipes but that does not mean he is incompetent. He is believable and delivers the role. The co star Jill Wagner is perfect. I can not spoil it here but she delivers the role and the emotional changes / burden that came with it. She is a character you can relate. For the side characters: Shen is an interesting replacement for Whistler. The vampires are al really good. They deliver the roles and are enjoyable to watch. Each one has their own motives, goals and burdens. Their ploting against each other makes them even more believable. The conclusion of the season is also a strength. It is a game changer and would have be an awesome starting point for a second season. Overall this is an underappreciated series that would have deserved more seasons. I will give a combined bonus point for good character performance, world building and the idea for the conclusion (Would have given 9/10 without).… Full Review »
  3. WilliamK.
    Feb 8, 2008
    6
    The story focuses more on the under foot characters, but the action remains the same white-knuckle fighting style, the weapons are cool, and The story focuses more on the under foot characters, but the action remains the same white-knuckle fighting style, the weapons are cool, and plot plot is original. Both Wagner and Gower are to die for, but Jones tries too hard to make the character of Blade work. Oh well, at least it was better than Blade Trinity! Recommended!… Full Review »
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