July 2, 2014

Director: Patrick Lussier

Writer: Joel Soisson (Screenplay) Joel Soisson, Patrick Lussier (Story)

Starring: Gerard Butler, Christopher Plummer, Jonny Lee Miller, Justine Waddell, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Jennifer Esposito, Omar Epps, Sean Patrick Thomas, Danny Masterson, Lochlyn Munro

Plot: In the millennium version of this classic Gothic horror we find Abraham Van Helsing (Plummer), who has tangled with Count Dracula (Butler) in the past, working as an English antiques dealer. Simon (Miller) is a vampire hunter in training under his apprenticeship. Van Helsing and Simon travel from London to New Orleans to rescue Van Helsing’s daughter Mary (Waddell) from the family’s life long nemesis.

Verdict: What Happened?

Story: Dracula is the first name everyone should know in Vampires and this takes the entire gothic feel from the book and early films and turns it into a bad version of Blade. We have a heist to steal from Van Helsing and it turns out they steal Dracula, then release him and become his vampire fighters. Dracula tries to find Van Helsing daughter who he is connected to somehow. The truth is this is just a poor vampire story using the heavyweight name, if you wanted good vampire entertainment you would be better just watching Buffy when it came out. (4/10)

Actor Reviews

Gerard Butler: Dracula released from his eternal prison and goes going for the daughter of the man that captured him. This was Gerard’s first attempt to make it in America and he does a good job with what little he is given, being the only screen presences throughout the film. (7/10)

Christopher Plummer: Abraham Van Helsing the antiques dealer who also collects artefacts for his own collection to use in the fight against vampires. Plummer is a great actor but this was one he didn’t need to turn up for. (4/10)

Jonny Lee Miller: Simon Sheppard one of Van Helsing’s employees who then suddenly becomes a fighter in the war against vampires. Poor performance in a role he never decides what accent he wants to have and look terrible in the fights. (3/10)

Justine Waddell: Mary Heller-Van Helsing the average girl who doesn’t know what he father does but has twisted dreams with a mysterious figure in. Looks out of place in this film and never creates anything to make us root for her. (3/10)

Director Review: Patrick Lussier – Ruins an iconic name in horror, makes a dull horror. (2/10)

Horror: Not scary what so ever. (3/10)

Thriller: Doesn’t keep you near the edge of the seat, loses attention of audience easily. (3/10)

Settings: Takes the gothic location and puts them in New Orleans, making no sense. (3/10)
Special Effects: Badly dated special effects that never convince. (4/10)

Suggestion: Just don’t bother wasting the time. (Avoid)

Best Part: It shows that Butler was always meant to be a star however bad a film is.

Worst Part: Everything.

Kill Of The Film: Solina

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: Has two sequels.

Post Credits Scene: No

Oscar Chances: No

Box Office: $47,053,625

Budget: $54 Million

Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes