Dracula 2000 (2000)

As a director, Wes Craven has been able to infuse his horror movies with humor and some smart, often genuinely creepy, thrills, even on his lowest-budgeted films. As a producer of horror movies, well, his record has been spotty at best. Craven tapped his longtime editor Patrick Lussier to direct Dracula 2000, and the movie ends up with all the good and bad of "a Wes Craven production." A modern-day update of the Dracula legend, the script has some genuinely good ideas. Christopher Plummer (The Insider) takes a relatively juicy role as Van Helsing, owner of an antiques shop specializing in ancient weapons. He takes exception to how his namesake was portrayed in Bram Stoker's classic novel, which he's more than happy to tell his assistant (Jonny Lee Miller, "Sick Boy" from Trainspotting) without telling him the whole story. When Omar Epps leads a band of high-tech criminals to break into Van Helsing's high security vault (thinking that with so much security there's got to be something extremely valuable in there), what they end up stealing is the body of Dracula, who of course awakens from his slumber. When the story shifts to New Orleans, where Van Helsing's estranged daughter is working for the local Virgin Megastore (here metaphor is replaced by product placement), Dracula is drawn to her. The undead start to multiply, and the vampire hunt resumes. Another excellent idea deals with a new origin to Dracula, flashing back to biblical times to explain his aversion to silver and crosses. But there is a downside. Under the inept direction of Lussier the movie is never scary, inspiring instead an occasional feeling of pity for the actors. Overall, this a vampire movie for the mind, not the heart. --Andy Spletzer Amazon.com

Not Worth Watching

The film starts with a sailing ship "Demeter" in a storm in the late 19th century. Only one leaves footprints in the sand. Next we are in modern London. Van Helsing inspects an antique crossbow; its for his personal collection. The Carfax store is attacked by robbers who open the vault. The new technology falls to new tricks. Is it an inside job? Will something go wrong? Van Helsing does not want the police to investigate; he has his secrets. The robbers find what was hidden in that casket, and live to regret their crimes. Mary has strange nightmares. [The film loosely follows the original novel] A TV news team discovers something they won't see on TV.

There are surprises, terror, comedy, and action. Van Helsing explains his mission to stop Dracula. The story jumps around a bit. Some of the scenes lack credibility. The older films had a better story than these special effects. [Don't those firearms violate British laws?] Writers who modify classic works are seldom as good as the originals. Will those historical records provide a clue? Will Mary seek shelter in a cemetery? Revelers party in strange costumes at Mardi Gras for drama. [Are you getting tired of this movie?] There is a final surprise ending. It's a shame that all that money produced such a poor film. Special effects are no substitute for a good story.
October 14, 2008

Fun, fun, fun

Make no mistake, this movie is imperfect, odd and cheesy. In other words, it's a pure guilty pleasure. Sit back and enjoy it. Plus, it's got Jonny Lee Miller and Gerard Butler to look at, and Justine Waddell is a unique choice for the lead role (she hails from BBC fare such as Wives and Daughters and Tess of the D'Urbervilles). August 6, 2008

The sexiest dracula ever!

I fantasized for days after viewing this movie. I would give it 5 stars if they had a longer or better relationship together. I would have surrender and done anything he (Dracula)asked me to do with pleasure. The love making scenes rocked my world and imagination! They left me craving more.... It could have been better. July 30, 2008

New "Twist" on an old theme

I thoroughly enjoyed this version of the "Dracula" story. I think this version is most entertaining with its creative new "twist". It was great to see Danny Masterson (Hyde) of "That 70s' Show in this movie. It is good Fun! July 22, 2008

3.5 stars should be the available option

I have a mixed opinion on this film. On the one hand, I enjoy the new spin. On the other, some of the scenes and the acting was just hilarious! Was this movie meant to be frightening? It missed the mark. However...

Let me just say that I have become a rather avid fan of Gerard Butler in the last few months. The man is HOT, and he lives up to his looks in this movie as Dracula, WOW! Girls, it is worth watching JUST to see him strutting around in black and to see him with his shirt off and, oh yes, the sex scene. :)

Now to be a more in-depth reviewer. I honestly do like the twist here! I enjoy seeing their take on the origins of vampires, and Van Helsing's (Christopher Plummer) continuing role. Johnny Lee Miller makes a good sidekick too. I also quite liked seeing all the classic Dracula trappings (and I should know them as we studied the novel in depth in my Brit. Lit. 2 class) - bats, wolves, Christian symbols, silver, mist, walking in daylight, regaining his youth as he feeds, etc. - put into play. The history is interesting, the theory is intruiging, and Mary as Van Helsing's daughter and her heritage and therefore connection to Dracula is fascinating!

Substituting the Virgin Corporation for the actual virgins from the original Dracula is just a little bit stupid though. Product placement, eesh.

I think this film actually had a good thing going. If they had spent more time developing the plot elements and less on the INCREDIBLY corny action scenes, it could have been quite a good movie! But, everyone who was turned seems to find it in their nature to drop cheesy lines meant to be funny and to be very cliché and slutty. Omar Epps, Jeri Ryan, Danny Masterson and all the rest really fell short on that.

Still, the original capture of Dracula, his freeing, the resolution, and his origins all make for elements to the movie that make it worth seeing. There's certainly some explanation for why the tools used against Dracula work as they do. Although, I can't remember hearing why he doesn't like garlic, did I miss that bit?

The execution of the storyline is shabby, yes, but there is a little gold amongst the dross. And, if all else fails, if you find Gerard Butler to be amazingly attractive, he'll keep you interested to the end of the movie! :) July 18, 2008

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