Oh, wait. That wasn't me. That was f--king Keanu Reeves.
Dracula is arguably the most well-known film adaptation of author Bram Stoker's 18th-century novel. Vampires had been around for a few decades when Dracula was published, but this novel was the genesis of the Dracula character as we know him today. I'm not the biggest fan of Drac (or vampires in general), but I certainly respect the creation of such a legendary character.
What I didn't appreciate, however, was this film. Released in 1992, Dracula seemed years older than that and felt incredibly dated (and that's odd, considering it's a period movie...tee hee). It was beautiful at times, and featured an epic performance from the frighteningly intense Gary Oldman, but by the end I was hoping someone would drive a stake through my heart. Or at least, that a giant wolf creature would have its way with me. One of those.
The century-spanning story begins with a young Drac kicking ass in battle. Those lying Turk bastards sent word that Drac had been killed during the bloodshed, thereby sending his wife Elisabeta plunging to her death. Drac arrives home for some post-battle booty, only to find his beautiful lady all dead and stuff. Drac's pissed, and swears he will avenge her from beyond the grave. Cut to four hundred years later, 1897, and Drac's buying up property in London. The lawyer overseeing the deal, Mr. Renfield, has gone mad and consequently needs to be replaced. Send young up-and-comer Johnny Utah, er, Jonathan Harker, to Drac's house to close the deal. Harker has to leave behind his own lovely lady, Mina (played by the miscast, yet oh-so-lovely, Winona Ryder) to travel to Transylvania. While Harker gets trapped by the Count's sexy wives, Drac heads to London in search of the reincarnated version of his long-dead wife. Would it surprise you that this happens to be Mina? Of course it wouldn't. You saw Blacula [review]. You know how this goes.
Anyway, things happen, boobs are revealed, Anthony Hopkins shows up, undead bitches are beheaded and then it all ends rather abruptly. This movie made a killing at the box office, so clearly many people enjoyed it, but don't count me as one of them. I simply wasn't in the mood for it, but it also seemed very silly too. Honestly, my favorite vampire movie ever is Blade II, so let that guide how much you trust any of what I'm saying.
But you know who you can trust? The Yays. Not so sure about the Boos.
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| This is what I wear to all job interviews. Why they don't call is beyond me. |
Yaaaaaaaay!
- The costumes are incredible. I was a big fan of most of Dracula's looks. And the ladies, too. Obviously.
- The best closing to a letter ever? Your friend, D.
- Federal Law mandates that you love Anthony Hopkins, no matter the role. Even if he's a ridiculously deadpan Professor Van Helsing. And even if he says ja, entirely too many times.
- This is the second movie in a row where a hot chick gets it on with a wolf. Seriously. This has got to earn me some obscure/made up blogger award, right? I'll wait by my mailbox, just in case.
- Oh, you want to show me a crucifix, do you? How about I just vomit blood all over your face, then?
- This quote: No, no. Not exactly. I just want to cut off her head and take her heart. If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that one...
- The mostly-bat version of Dracula is awesome. I'm not being a sarcastic prick, either. It's really cool.
- And finally, I really enjoyed how turning into a vampire makes you want to grab and expose your breasts. I think most vampire-hunters would chill the f--k out if they knew of this side effect.
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| Only Winona could fall hundreds of feet to her death and still look fine. |
Booooo!
- Remember that business trip where your client shaved you? And then further complicated matters by licking the razor? Not cool.
- Dracula is a pretty awesome host, clearly. Except when he interrupts your chicken dinner with story time and a bizarre sword demo.
- Why is that I only realized that Monica Belluci was in this via IMDB? Clearly, she should have been featured more. Especially when she plays a nymphomaniac bloodsucker. Read it again, it still says blood.
- Renfield ends up looking and sounding exactly like Gollum. Master! Maaaaasterrrrrr!
- And finally, Keanu's British accent is incredibly awful. Whoa, your Majesty.
No, I'm not joking. I woke up in an alley two days later.