Movie Review: Dracula

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B-

A mostly successful reimagining of the Dracula legend. 

This movie reimagines Dracula as tragic romantic figure (almost similar to the titular character in The Mummy (1932)), who has waited 400 years to be reunited with his dead wife. For the chance reunited with her, he will do anything no matter how violent nor how it affects others. This take on the character creates a quite engaging and emotionally charged story that ends on a surprisingly emotional note. Caleb Landry Jones' performance perfectly captures that this is a horrifying character but also one whose love for his wife marks his one true virtue. You both get a sense of a horrifying and scary monster while also believing that he truly loves this woman. This creates a truly engaging character, who gives an emotional resonance to this horror story. Christoph Waltz as the priest, Zoë Bleu as his reincarnated wife and Matilda De Angelis as a creepy female vampire round out this great cast. 

Being directed by Luc Besson, naturally this movie has a very stylized look to it. This look is one of the film's greatest assets. The whole movie has a delightfully gothic look to it that perfectly suits this type of story perfectly. Even the brighter colored scenes (such as those at the carnival) have a dark and sinister look to the way they look. There are visual moments here that will stay in your mind long after the movie finishes. 

These movie does have some rather large flaws though. Some scenes that are supposed to feel sexually charged are instead unintentionally funny. One gory scene feels like it is only there because modern horror movies are supposed to have them. As great as this film looks there are also moments of surprisingly bad CGI, especially those involving the gargoyles. 

   This is a very flawed film but the things that work here are fantastic.