Vampire films have been a part of cinema since the beginning, and much focus has always been and will be on the famous literary character created by Irish novelist Bram Stoker, Count Dracula. In his new movie, Dracula Untold, first time director Gary Shore and filmmakers have decided, instead of focusing on the story we all know, to take us back to the beginning and see how Dracula becomes the Prince of Darkness.
The movie gives us a chance to see into the life of Dracula before taking the name and becoming the evil all men fear, as Vlad III Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler due to his practice of impaling his enemies. Sultan Mehmed II, who demands 1000 of boys including Vlad’s own son to join the army, threatens the peace to Vlad’s land. In order to save his son, wife, and the kingdom he loves, he seeks out help from dark forces beyond his control. He makes a Faustian bargain with an ancient evil that lives within a surrounding mountain. Vlad is given the powers to destroy his enemies, however, he will be afflicted with insatiable thirst to drink human blood. This leads him to embrace his destiny and become the legendary vampire Dracula.
That simple plot turns into one of the most bonkers Dracula flicks ever. We’re following Dracula as he goes from loving, caring father into a vampire superhero that saves his land and destroys his enemies for the greater good. He can fly, has super strength, and a healing factor. He basically becomes Superman/Wolverine. The only vampire things he has are his aversion to sunlight and the need to have blood to survive. But that is so secondary compared to watching Dracula fly around killing Turks and saving villagers that it just doesn’t matter anymore.
Not that it’s so bad, but it sure isn’t the Dracula people have come to love over the years. They make him into a sympathetic character that was turned evil. Granted, we don’t know much about Dracula past the original Stoker book, and there he was clearly a villain, and has been ever since. So for a movie to come along and try to change up the story is interesting, but it’s not going to fly with the hardcore Drac fans that have come to think of him as evil only.
But even with that lackluster plot point, the movie does have some good qualities too, mostly in acting. Luke Evans as the Count is really impressive. Makes you want to see him in a real Dracula flick and not this one. But nevertheless he carries the movie well. He looks great as the count and doesn’t take the movie too seriously, as does Sarah Gadon as Vlad’s wife. Each is bringing a good amount of talent to their characters and both have an on screen chemistry that is believable and likable by the audience.
The two actors who are enjoying themselves more than they should be are Dominic Cooper and Charles Dance. Cooper especially is “going for it”. He is playing the evil sultan who wants to kill Vlad and take all of his land. Cooper’s acting has improved from movie to movie, and here we get to see him just reach for it. His over the top character is just eating everyone else out of the scene. Normally this would make the movie suffer, but here it just adds to the crazy the film is being fueled on.
Just as Cooper is over the top, Charles Dance comes in with subtle evil that is very enjoyable to watch. He only has a few scenes, but they are important to the story just as he is. He oozes on screen, shrouded in all shadow and hate. He is the evil that lurks in the mountains. When Vlad makes his deal with this demon, you know that it’s a bad idea. I mean, of course you do, but Dance is acting it so well that you feel like you didn’t see it coming when you know you did. His make-up and prosthetics are top notch and make him look scarier than he already is.
The special effects are pretty good. The sets and scenery around the castle look and feel real. There are a few blue screen issues here and there, but nothing that pulls you out of the flick. The effect of Vlad flying is interesting and different for a Dracula movie. They have him become a mass of black bats that travel/teleport him to where he wants to go. It strangely works for the world they have set up. He is also given a “bat sight”, which didn’t look too bad as well. The effects looked good and worked for the movie that has been presented.
So as a huge Dracula fan, I went in ready to dislike this, but because it’s so bonkers, I found myself having fun. It’s not bad enough to suck, nor is it sharp enough to bite. But the movie has many good and bad points, but at the end of the day it was fun. It completely misses the point of its iconic character’s appeal, but it gives you other things to enjoy. And hopefully this is the beginning of the Universal Monsters Universe they want to create, and we can see more of this Dracula becoming more like the Price of darkness we all know and love.