Is this just another take on the “Dracula” story? J.P. saw the film and gives us his opinion on director Gary Shore’s “Dracula Untold.”
DRACULA UNTOLD
(Universal)
RATED: PG-13 FOR INTENSE SEQUENCES OF WARFARE, VAMPIRE ATTACKS, DISTURBING IMAGES, AND SOME SENSUALITY.
Cast: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Diarmaid Murtagh, Dominic Cooper
Directed by: Gary Shore
Studio Synopsis:
Almost an entire century after the world’s first cinematic introduction to Dracula placed audiences under his haunting spell, the studio that pioneered the genre reawakens one of legend’s most captivating figures in an action-adventure that heralds a pulse-pounding rebirth of the age of monsters. Luke Evans (Fast & Furious 6, The Hobbit series) transforms from the cursed man history knows as Vlad the Impaler to an all-powerful creature of the night in Universal Pictures’ Dracula Untold, the origin story of the alluring immortal we have come to fear as the sun sets: Dracula. Directed by Gary Shore, Dracula Untold is produced by Michael De Luca.
J.P.’s Take:
“Dracula Untold” is a tale of how a 15th century Wallachian Prince became folkloric legend. It’s a story that depicts him as a hero instead of the despised blood thirsty vampire made famous in Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula.” Yet neither Stoker’s book nor the films that followed told the whole truth.
Although the legend of Dracula is the stuff of folklore, the accounts of Prince Vlad Dracula III (a.k.a Tepes which means “Impaler”) stem from factual historical events. Since we’re all familiar with the character, director Gary Shore and writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless delve further into his origins story. What this film does well is meld both history and folklore together rather seamlessly.
“Dracula” travels backwards to the mid 1400s, during the time of Prince Vlad Dracula a.k.a Vlad the Impalar’s (Luke Evans) reign over Wallachia, Romania. Locked in an embittered battle with his brother Mehmed II (Dominic Cooper), a Turkish Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Vlad is ordered to hand over 1000 young boys, including his own son Ingeras (Art Parkinson). Under the tutelage of the Ottoman Empire, the boy will be educated and trained as warriors for their army. This leaves Prince Vlad enraged and frantic to find a solution to end this war.
In order to defeat the Ottoman armies Prince Vlad must become a monster in the literal since. He seeks the aid of mountain dwelling demon named Caligula (Charles Dance), who was once a ruling Roman Emperor. Caligula makes him an offer that would seem futile to resist. The offer is that of immortality and ferocious powers, which would strike fear in the hearts of his enemies. This offer, of course, comes with stipulations, where if he can resist the thirst for human blood, he will be restored to his human form. Which means not even his beautiful wife Mirena (Sarah Gadon) is safe from his blood lust.
The turn of events here sets the pace for the rest of the film; turning a character that once haunted our dreams, into one we can all route for. Unlike the “Dracula” movies of ole, here you’re smacked with frightening supernatural warfare in true Gothic fashion. Yet, you’re not overwhelmed with endless battles. Also Vlad doesn’t simply turn into a giant bat, he swarms his enemies with hoards of them. The ways in which vampires are massacred also prove gory as they disintegrate into emaciated corpses. In other words there is an onslaught of creepy moments, when the film transitions from drama to horror.
What’s even more interesting is the unexpected ending which sets Vlad and Caligula in modern times. I’ll go no further because this is a scene that promotes a possible sequel and the beginning of the modern legend. Although “Dracula Untold” wasn’t as extensive or as detailed as “Interview with a Vampire,” nor was it as visceral as “30 Days of Night,” I had fun with this film over all. However, in the 1 hour 33 minute run time, you’re pretty much reintroduced to a legend you already know, in a lean mean thrill machine.