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| | Salesrank: 80617
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| Our Price: $7.59 |
| Used Price: $7.55 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
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
Dracula 2000 Reviews:
A Mixed Review 
2009-10-09 - Ok, so the only reason I watched this movie, I'll be honest, is because Gerard Butler is in it. I wasn't disappointed there. It's not the best piece of Gerry's work, but if you love Gerry, as I do, you'll watch it every now and then just because he's in it. I'm glad I saw Phantom of the Opera before this movie, because if I had seen this movie before any of Gerry's other movies, I probably would have been swayed not to give his other movies a chance. Sacrilige in Gerry-world I know, but it's the truth.
First of all, I'll admit, it's kind of interesting to think that Dracula is really Judas Iscariot. After that though, it made me a tad uncomfortable. Being a Catholic myself, all the references Gerry makes as Dracula to Jesus Christ is a little over the top, at least for me. This is why I said I'm glad I saw him in other movies before this one. There are other movies, long before Gerry was better known, that are more entertaining than Dracula 2000. I suppose if you like Dracula you might find it interesting. The special features on this dvd are entertaining though. If you like Gerard Butler, you will like this movie, you'll be forgiving because, well, he's Gerry. lol Other than that, I'm not sure if you would enjoy it. My advice? Rent it from Blockbuster first, and if you like it enough to buy it then do it.
A flawed but undeniably fun take on an old classic.
2009-09-21 - Presented by Wes Craven, "Dracula 2000" is, as its name implies, a re-telling of the Dracula legend for a modern, new millennium audience. Whether it was needed or not, the film attempts to update an old tale with a hip and trendy cast, a heavy metal soundtrack, and a visual flare that resembles the so-called music video/MTV aesthetic of the time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
From the cast to the script and the overall tone of the film everything in this adaptation reeks of "Scream"-era horror, which should come as no surprise given Craven's involvement and the fact that the film's first-time director, Patrick Lussier, spent the better part of his career working under Craven's shadow as an editor on the "Scream" franchise and many similar films. Thankfully, Lussier (who went on to direct two direct-to-video sequels to the film, as well as the recent "My Bloody Valentine" remake) learned the ropes rather well during his time under Craven. The film has undeniable style and even at times when it tries to be dark and serious (a goal that this film doesn't quite reach), is enjoyable and harmless. Its action scenes are somewhat derivative of "The Matrix" and other films of the time, but are a blast, never-the-less, and help amp up the enjoyable camp factor of the film. While the film isn't necessarily bad (or subsequently, good), its biggest flaw is that its script is rather contrived and convoluted. Again, the question is raised of whether or not the film is needed, and unfortunately, the dim storyline at hand doesn't do much to justify its existence.
On the acting end, Gerard Butler is a solid casting choice as Dracula himself, and goes a long way to make the film what it is. Then there's Christopher Plummer, adding a touch of class to his role as a descendant of Van Helsing. The likes of Jennifer Esposito, Omar Epps, Sean Patrick Thomas, Danny Masterson, Jeri Ryan and Vitamin C (remember her?) show up and do okay, but like many horror flicks of the time that sport a "hot" cast, are in turn, disposable and forgettable for the most part. Thankfully, Johnny Lee Miller and Justine Waddell are likable enough as the main protagonists and help keep you from cheering for Butler's Dracula too much.
To be blunt, this film is purely and simply dumb fun. If you are willing to let your guard down and can appreciate a film that takes many liberties with its source material, you'll find that "Dracula 2000" has a lot of entertainment value. It's certainly not the best take on the material or even an effective horror movie in its own right, but aside from its problems and the fact that it almost immediately dated itself upon inception, it's at least an admirable and ambitious effort that recalls a time when horror - for better or for worse - wasn't as hardcore and unflinching as it is now.
Movie critics don't get what people like 
2009-08-26 - I thought this was an enjoyable vampire film! Sure there are some parts that could have been better, less cheesey. I wish they had went a bit more in depth in the backstory of who Dracula really is, for example. I thought the technical aspects of the film were wonderful; lighting, sets, etc. Please don't let the poor reviews keep you from watching this! The part when Dracula transforms from wrinkled old guy to a hunk with a six pack is worth the whole movie! Gerard Butler is smoking hot! Honestly, I do not understand why anyone would say no to him! I watched it on youtube because I wanted to see for myself if it was worth buying, and I have to say it is. I will order my copy now!
Best Dracula Movie Since The Monster Squad 
2009-08-24 - Gerard Butler (300), Jonny Lee Miller (MANSFIELD PARK), Justine Waddell (also in MANSFIELD PARK), Omar Epps (HOUSE), Jennifer Esposito (TAXI), Sean Patrick Thomas (CRUEL INTENTIONS), Danny Masterson (THAT '70S SHOW), Lochlyn Munro (Freddy vs Jason, Scary Movie & Dead Man on Campus), Jeri Ryan (THE KID), Tig Fong (THE LADIES MAN), Colleen Fitzpatrick (LIAR LIAR), Nathan Fillion (SERENITY), Tony Munch (WITCHBLADE) and Christopher Plummer (THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS) star in Wes Craven and Patrick Lussier's DRACULA 2000. The main plot is Van Helsing (Christopher Plummer) and Simon Shepperd (Jonny Lee Miller) tracking down Dracula's (Gerard Butler) coffin which was robbed by a gang of hoodlums (Omar Epps, Jenniffer Esposito, Sean Patrick Thomas, Lochlyn Munro, Danny Masterson, Tony Munch and Tig Fong). Meanwhile, Van Helsing's daughter; Mary (Justine Waddell) is having nightmares about Dracula. THIS MOVIE FEATURES A PERFECT ALL STAR CAST, SCRIPT, DIRECTOR, PRODUCERS, WRITERS AND SETTINGS. I GIVE THIS MOVIE A 5 OUT OF 5 STAR RATING.
He can bite me anytime!
2009-07-14 - Best looking Dracula I've seen in a long time. Very much enjoyed the twist to the origins of Dracula. Totally makes sense once you see/hear it.
