Friday, February 06, 2015
Michael Allen
Director: Gary Shore.
Writers: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless and Bram Stoker.
Cast: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper and Art Parkinson.
Dracula Untold is a major horror release. This title was released in theatres, throughout 2014. And, the film made over 200 million in domestic and international markets. Now, the early telling of Dracula's (Luke Evans) early life is making its way to home entertainment platforms. The film's use of quality settings and costumes enhanced the film's visual appeal. As well, steeped in supernatural elements, Dracula Untold tells an ancient story of creatures living off of mortals' blood. The supernatural elements detract from any believability, but the film is consistently full of conflict and action. Dracula gets a chance to show his true colours in this major release and those colours are blood red.
The film begins with Vlad the Impaler. This infamous killer of the past comes across as much softer, compared to what history would tell us. Instead of a bloody warlord, Vlad is a family man with a child to protect. When the Turkish army comes marching, Vlad must find away to turn their armoured tide. He seeks out a creature in Broken Tooth Mountain. This creature is cursed. But, he is happy to share his curse with Vlad, so that he can find freedom, for his lands. Now, Vlad uses his supernatural powers to fight against the Turkish hordes, while losing himself and everything he loves, in the process.
The visual display is rather impressive. The sets are complex, well dressed and full of colour. Each set houses several central characters and extras. The settings continuously show effort. Also, both the exteriors and interiors are equally well done. Though, many of the exteriors utilize CGI enhancements. Still, the set dressers and costumers have created what looks like an authentic 15th Century environment. These settings help improve the film's overall immersion.
The film focuses in on a supernatural element. Ancient and perhaps overtold, the myth of vampires and Dracula persist in our stories. For better or worse, they create situations which are grand in scale. They also require imagination as logic shoots holes all through the film's central story. In the film, Dracula has the strength of a hundred men and he can transform into a group of flying bats. He can also be killed by silver. All of these ancient legends are based in Christian mythology and these myths feel overplayed to this viewer. Satan and Christianity continue to fight major battles in cinema. But, as most people now, the greatest monsters are within our midst.
The greatest film element in Dracula Untold is the consistent use of conflict. The constant conflict, between armies, helps improve the film's pacing. Early scenes pit Dracula against a cursed one, living in cave. Later scenes force Dracula to confront a childhood friend and now foe. The clash between Dracula and the curse are never truly overcome. The exterior dangers are just as difficult to overcome. This character is consistently challenged from within and without. This constant use of conflict helps keep the events onscreen moving towards a satisfying climax.
This title has recently released on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD, with this viewer thoroughly entertained. Dracula Untold is a lively supernatural piece, involving lots of complex scenes. Characterizations are slightly minimized in this PG-13 venture. But, the story uses recurring themes, involving love overcome evil, and the writing brings events to a clash quickly and efficiently. Fans of horror, who are looking for a larger scale horror feature, should seek Dracula Untold out. The bloodletting continues even into the final few frames.
Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (lots of action, few subplots, few other characters are developed at all - outside of the central character).
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Posted in: 2015,dracula,dracula movie review,horror movie review,movie review,setting,story,synopsis,vampire,vampires
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