Strip off all your Dracula orientations before stepping into the reimagined origin story of the universal monster in Gary Shore's Dracula Untold. Do not expect a horror film reminiscent of Bram Stoker's character—but a superhero flick, as if plucked from the Marvel universe. And it's not so bad, really.
In Dracula Untold, Vlad (Luke Evans), Prince of Transylvania, is a chiseled, kind-faced, sensitive guy who only wants to protect his son Ingeras (Art Parkinson of Game of Thrones) and his people from the Turkish army led by the ruthless Sultan (Dominic Cooper). The Sultan demands from Vlad 1,000 male children to join his army, including Vlad's son. This forces Vlad to seek the help of Master Vampire (Game of Thrones' Charles Dance) to amass dark powers that he will use to protect his son and his people. Hence, we watch how Vlad becomes Dracula, like Peter Parker becomes Spider Man.
This fantasy action-adventure is pure action with cool effects. The screenplay flows smoothly and competently, with the entire cast delivering effective, emotional performances. Vlad the Impaler is humanized here, the character developed into a good guy, portrayed as a noble hero and a loving husband and father.
Dracula Untold may not be your elegant horror film that provides spine-chilling thrills, but it is a competent, visually and emotionally engaging popcorn flick that manages to truly entertain.
3 out of 5 stars
Opens October 15, 2014, also in IMAX
Photo credit: United International Pictures
Comments
And I would give it three stars as well.