Review of Dracula Untold (2014) by Kermitlaphroaig — 09 Oct 2014

Dracula Untold is a good action film, with a new historical angle on the Bram Stoker character. I give kudos to any film that makes a genuine effort to be historically accurate, and this screenplay is by far the most historical Dracula ever depicted. In the movie, "Vlad" is the hero who becomes a vampire to save his family and people, fighting the evil Turks, who are enslaving Romanian children. Critics are panning the film because they don't like it that the film badmouths the Turks and, shocking, has no minorities in lead roles (unforgivable).

The special effects are pretty good and the makeup on the evil prototype vampire that converts Vlad (played by Charles Dance, aka Tywin Lannister) is awesome. The outdoor scenes, shot in Ireland, are naturalistic and realistic. Vlad's castle is really cool, although it looks kind of like a set. The bat-related special effects were kind of overdone, but not so much as to be distracting.

The acting by star Luke Evans (The Three Musketeers, 2011) is decent and other actors put in credible performances, especially Dance's portrayal of the evil Caligula, which is excellent.

The fights themselves are rather tame and some of the production details indifferently handled (didn't they that when you impale somebody, the stick goes up the anus, not though the chest?) Nevertheless, the storyline is brisk and keeps you involved.