5 Lessons Blade Taught Studios About Superhero Movies (They Have Clearly Forgotten)

4. The Hero Can Be Focused On His Mission

A theme current superhero films seem to follow is that of the "reluctant hero," which is linked inherently with the open embrace of the parallels between coming to terms with powers and the real journey of puberty, as well as the defiance of older conventions from mythology where heroes are overly cocky and set up to fail. A "normal" person, be it a billionaire weapons designer, an ace fighter pilot, or a high-school teenager, find themselves chosen by circumstance or fate to wield great power. Rather than being grateful for the opportunity, they then spend a majority of their story fighting against becoming the hero they are destined to be. Flawed heroes have enjoyed popularity in many storytelling eras such as the Greek myths and Silver Age of comic books but that only helps make a film like Blade memorable. In the film, Blade is on a single crusade: destroy all vampires. There is no self-doubt in what he is doing or any arrogance as far as his place in his mission. That isn't to say the character is one-dimensional. He doesn't consider himself a hero and yet finds compassion for others. Blade's fear of going feral under his always-present vampire hunger and the painful means he keeps it at bay is also a great motivator for an audience's sympathy. It also adds a dynamic that stands apart from character traits as self-doubt or arrogance. A hero needs obstacles in their journey whether emotional or physical; it is the reason audiences rally behind them. But as Blade demonstrates, that doesn't mean your hero has to be unsure of their path.