Dario Argento’s DRACULA moves at a lethargic pace for the first 70 minutes before the movie picks up for the last 30 minutes with only the out-of-place giant mantis scene being the only thing to bother me.  Thomas Kretschmann is more alive in his performance as Van Helsing on DRACULA the series where his Dracula in this movie is too restrained.  Rutger Hauer brings some life to the party as Abraham Van Helsing (and oddly enough Rutger played Dracula in a different Dracula film years ago).  Asia Argento is a better performer as Lucy, Mina’s best friend, where Mina seems too plain and Jonathan Harker is a really bland character that you won’t miss him when he meets his doom by Dracula.   The vampire bride adds some sex appeal, but the jealously of a vampire over Mina isn’t pushed far enough.   It is like Dario Argento had made a poor copy of a Hammer Horror film where this Dracula has no charisma like Christopher Lee’s Dracula.   Skip this film and go watch one of Dario Argento’s better earlier films.  Even MOTHER OF TEARS (whether you love or hate it) is ten times better than Argento’s take on Dracula.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The hour plus of behind-the-scenes interviews and footage forms a documentary of sorts on the movie from how they came to write the script, film the movie to be converted into stereoscopic 3D in post-production, production design, costume design, visual effects for 3D, and interviews with some of the actors.

 

 

The music video for “Kiss me Dracula” is a better directed piece than the movie itself.  Also singer Silvia Specchio is more attractive than the three female characters (even Asia Argento who has looked better in other movies).

 

Also included on the DVD are a theatrical trailer and the red band trailer for Dario Argento’s Dracula.  Playing before the main menu are previews for other films available or coming soon from IFC Films.

 

FINAL ANALYSIS:  I loved the score for the movie, but Argento’s Dracula aka DRACULA 3D does suck for the first 70 minutes for moving way too slow and tries to be make up for it in the last 30 minutes.  Skip this movie and wait for DRACULA the series to hit DVD and blu-ray where Thomas Kretschmann is a better Van Helsing than he is Dracula in this version of Dracula.  It is sad the Kiss Me Dracula music video is way better than the movie itself.

 

This DVD review is (c)1-29-2014 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

 

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