Starring: Omar Epps, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Christopher Plummer, Jeri Ryan, Jonny Lee Miller Directed By: Patrick Lussier Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Dimension Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: July 03, 2001 Running Time: 99 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Description: The master of modern horror, Wes Craven, presents a riveting adaptation of the chilling classic featuring Jennifer Esposito (SUMMER OF SAM), Omar Epps (IN TOO DEEP), Jonny Lee Miller (TRAINSPOTTING), Vitamin C (GET OVER IT), and Jeri Ryan (STAR TREK: VOYAGER). When a team of techno-savvy thieves breaks into a high-security vault, they don't discover priceless artwork ... they find a crypt that hasn't been opened for 100 years! Suddenly, the ancient terror of Dracula is unleashed in the chaotic 21st century. Free to follow his pursuits of seduction and power, Dracula's first destination is America and the exotic city of New Orleans, a place where he feels right at home. Not far behind, however, is a young vampire hunter (Miller) from London, determined to save a young woman (Justine Waddell) with whom Dracula shares his dark legacy!
Amazon.com: As a director, Wes Craven has been able to infuse his horror movies with humor and some smart, often genuinely creepy, thrills, even on his lowest-budgeted films. As a producer of horror movies, well, his record has been spotty at best. Craven tapped his longtime editor Patrick Lussier to direct Dracula 2000, and the movie ends up with all the good and bad of "a Wes Craven production." A modern-day update of the Dracula legend, the script has some genuinely good ideas. Christopher Plummer (The Insider) takes a relatively juicy role as Van Helsing, owner of an antiques shop specializing in ancient weapons. He takes exception to how his namesake was portrayed in Bram Stoker's classic novel, which he's more than happy to tell his assistant (Jonny Lee Miller, "Sick Boy" from Trainspotting) without telling him the whole story. When Omar Epps leads a band of high-tech criminals to break into Van Helsing's high security vault (thinking that with so much security there's got to be something extremely valuable in there), what they end up stealing is the body of Dracula, who of course awakens from his slumber. When the story shifts to New Orleans, where Van Helsing's estranged daughter is working for the local Virgin Megastore (here metaphor is replaced by product placement), Dracula is drawn to her. The undead start to multiply, and the vampire hunt resumes. Another excellent idea deals with a new origin to Dracula, flashing back to biblical times to explain his aversion to silver and crosses. But there is a downside. Under the inept direction of Lussier the movie is never scary, inspiring instead an occasional feeling of pity for the actors. Overall, this a vampire movie for the mind, not the heart. --Andy Spletzer
Fun, fun, fun Make no mistake, this movie is imperfect, odd and cheesy. In other words, it's a pure guilty pleasure. Sit back and enjoy it. Plus, it's got Jonny Lee Miller and Gerard Butler to look at, and Justine Waddell is a unique choice for the lead role (she hails from BBC fare such as Wives and Daughters and Tess of the D'Urbervilles).
The sexiest dracula ever! I fantasized for days after viewing this movie. I would give it 5 stars if they had a longer or better relationship together. I would have surrender and done anything he (Dracula)asked me to do with pleasure. The love making scenes rocked my world and imagination! They left me craving more.... It could have been better.
New "Twist" on an old theme I thoroughly enjoyed this version of the "Dracula" story. I think this version is most entertaining with its creative new "twist". It was great to see Danny Masterson (Hyde) of "That 70s' Show in this movie. It is good Fun!
3.5 stars should be the available option I have a mixed opinion on this film. On the one hand, I enjoy the new spin. On the other, some of the scenes and the acting was just hilarious! Was this movie meant to be frightening? It missed the mark. However...
Let me just say that I have become a rather avid fan of Gerard Butler in the last few months. The man is HOT, and he lives up to his looks in this movie as Dracula, WOW! Girls, it is worth watching JUST to see him strutting around in black and to see him with his shirt off and, oh yes, the sex scene. :)
Now to be a more in-depth reviewer. I honestly do like the twist here! I enjoy seeing their take on the origins of vampires, and Van Helsing's (Christopher Plummer) continuing role. Johnny Lee Miller makes a good sidekick too. I also quite liked seeing all the classic Dracula trappings (and I should know them as we studied the novel in depth in my Brit. Lit. 2 class) - bats, wolves, Christian symbols, silver, mist, walking in daylight, regaining his youth as he feeds, etc. - put into play. The history is interesting, the theory is intruiging, and Mary as Van Helsing's daughter and her heritage and therefore connection to Dracula is fascinating!
Substituting the Virgin Corporation for the actual virgins from the original Dracula is just a little bit stupid though. Product placement, eesh.
Still, the original capture of Dracula, his freeing, the resolution, and his origins all make for elements to the movie that make it worth seeing. There's certainly some explanation for why the tools used against Dracula work as they do. Although, I can't remember hearing why he doesn't like garlic, did I miss that bit?
The execution of the storyline is shabby, yes, but there is a little gold amongst the dross. And, if all else fails, if you find Gerard Butler to be amazingly attractive, he'll keep you interested to the end of the movie! :)
Dracula 2000 This movie creates a very intelligent new spin on the Dracula mystery. The acting was O.K. but I think the movie is well worth the purchase to enjoy the new spin.
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
