From: hillyard@CS.ColoState.EDU (kevin paul hillyard)
Subject: Re: Dracula?
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 05:45:53 GMT
Organization: Colorado State University, Computer Science Department

In article <C0o5L6.Ewy@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu> burdickd@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Dakin Burdick) writes:
>Well, I'll discuss it, if only to get it out of my system!
>
>I was appalled by the movie.  I almost walked out of it, and I 
>would have if I hadn't been on a date at the time.  The following
>problems applied:
>
>1.  Stoker's version was savaged, changed into a teen-slasher with
>    blood vomiting and breasty women in negligees.  The characters
>    were all transformed into angst-ridden characters with little
>    redeeming virtue.  The women were sluttish, but the guys were too,
>    and actually so was Van Helsing!  And naturally the doctor was
>    was turned into a drug addict (another tidbit that never went
>    anywhere).

Ahhhmmm... excuse me, but have you even read the novel?  It's a VERY sexual
and erotica story, especially for that time period... I thought the outfits
were very appropriate...


>2.  The plot never got going; Coppola tried to cram too much in and
>    the result was a confusing mess.  Renfield was well-played, but
>    never did much, and Dracula's various appearances were more
>    amusing than scary.  In fact, there was little thrill in the movie
>    at all.

Crammed too much in?  Have you seen any of the other so-called Dracula movies
out there?  The only thing they have in common is the main characters' name...
They didn't even try to get his looks right....  Last time I checked, Coppola's
rendition was set to be a faithful adaptaion of the novel.... and he "crammed
too much in" to follow the original storyline... granted, the movie could have
been a little longer, but at a little over 2 hours already, it was pushing it.

>
>3.  The acting was appalling.  The hero was completely unconvincing
>    and had a british accent like that of Kevin Costner in Robin Hood
>    (BAD!).  The only two characters that were well-done were Van 
>    Helsing and Winona Ryder's characters, although the actors weren't
>    given much to work with.

Acting comments are always opinions, but here I disagree again.... mainly 
because Coppola has been around long enough not to let his actors act 
"appalling", as you put it...

>
>4.  There were a number of problems with the costuming, the most
>    obvious of which were the women's skimpy negligees (just because
>    they came from "Victoria's secret" doesn't mean Victorian women
>    wore them) and the god-awful cowboy outfit the Texan was wearing,
>    from fringed leather to a Montana overcoat that mysteriously
>    appears for him in Transylvania.  

Mysteriously appears for him?  Where do you think he came from?  Quincy,
being an American, as you said, most likly packed a bag when he came from
Texas... I would wager to say that's where his outfit came from...
>
>5.  The sets and special effects were impressive but were used too
>    often and were never really relevant to the story.  Someone should
>    also have restrained the cinematographer, who did a wonderful job
>    but who also got WAY out of control.  I giggled when the peacock
>    feather turned into a tunnel; it was WAY too much.

I thought the sets were very well done.. the castle was an incredible effect...
Coppola could have spent millions of dollars on the movie very easily
(especially when compared to most movies in the last few years), but instead
he used older techniques and darker sets to gain the "gritty" feel of the movie
instead of using computer effects a la T2... we never even see Dracula 
transform on screen, and it made it (to me, anyway, all the more frightening)


>The only redeeming things in this movie were Van Helsing's two
>black comedic comments on chopping off heads.  If you have to see it,
>rent it, get drunk with some friends, and laugh your head off.
>
>Dakin
>burdickd@silver.ucs.indiana.edu

I'm not trying to be a jerk, just stating my two cent's worth, as you did...
but I think that a lot of people would agree with me...

	Kevin Hillyard
	hillyard@handel.colo.state

	"Machines have no conscience..."
		-Queensryche, NM156 from The Warning

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