Bram Stoker's Dracula

Starring: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Cary Elwes
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Romance
Box Office: $82,522,790
1992

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) travels to London to pursue Mina Harker (Winona Ryder), who looks exactly like his dead love. While trying to abduct her, he battles her fiance (Keanu Reeves) and Abraham Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins).

Review:

Tim: The most visible aspect of this version of the Dracula tale is how it feels somehow different in the capable hands of Francis Ford Coppola. He uses shadows and symbols brilliantly to create a visually frightening film.

Coppola also has a slew of terrific actors. Gary Oldman is intense, yet somewhat likeable (at times) and works through the special effects transformation between young, old, and monster. He is the key to the entire film, and gives a creepy, believable performance.

Anthony Hopkins is reat as usual but makes for a somewhat unexpected Abraham Van Helsing. He makes a decent enough counterpart to Oldman's Dracula, but the two don't have the anger and hatred towards each other that these two characters should.

Winona Ryder shines (as she did in Edward Scissorhands), holding her own against two legends in her scenes with Oldman and Hopkins. She gives a powerful performance.

Keanu Reeves seems lost throughout the film and in over his head. Perhaps it was the talent amassed for this film, but he looks a little overwhelmed. Many people claim he cannot act and I usually disagree, but here, against superb talents, his acting limitations are severly exposed.

However, Bram Stoker's Dracula is a great film which tries hard to tell a story and not to be only a gory horror show. It succeeds in this aspect. We see Dracula more as a character, rather than only the embodiment of evil. Coppola puts his take on the Dracula tale right up near the top of the group.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Dracula 2000, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, Dracula, Vampires, Blade, Edward Scissorhands, Interview With the Vampire, Underworld