I must admit, I haven't read the novel.

Rating: 7/10 (18 October 2013)

By several accounts here, the movie is a travesty compared to Seth Grahame-Smiths' novel, which is odd considering that Grahame-Smith himself wrote the screenplay. The movie ultimately isn't about nuance but turns into a full-blown, over the top, cartoon-like action- horror movie. It's definitely fun to a degree, but one does have to "turn their brain off" before watching. At the least, it puts a highly amusing genre spin on events in American history.
It turns out that Americas' 16th president was more than the man who freed the slaves. He was also the man that fought the vampires that were scheming to overtake the country. In a hilarious contrivance by the author, the entire Confederate army is composed of savage bloodsuckers. But I'm getting ahead of myself. The movie introduces us to the young Lincoln, who witnessed his mother being attacked by a vampire. He wants vengeance, and ends up mentored by mysterious Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper). Honest Abe (sincerely portrayed by Benjamin Walker) then sets out on a mission to destroy all creatures of the night.
Admittedly, this movie may lose some viewers by the nature of its action set pieces, the first being a horse stampede and the other an overdone finale on a train. The rampant CGI may take them out of what is an interesting curiosity otherwise. Director Timur Bekmambetov does manage to create some poignant moments amid all the lunacy, while still doing his damnedest to prevent the audience from getting bored. Production design and cinematography do give this a nice comic book sort of look. The cast gives admirably straight faced performances, with Rufus Sewell, Marton Csokas, and Erin Wasson as villains, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Mary Todd, and Anthony Mackie and Jimmi Simpson as Abes' friends.
All in all, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is no great shakes; at times it's not really distinguishable from other action-horror mashups, but it still might intrigue some genre fans, and history buffs who won't be offended by the concept.
Seven out of 10.