Perhaps one of the most stylish films ever made, lacking some depth

Rating: 8/10 (21 October 2012)

I really wanted to see Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter in theaters but I missed it so I was really looking forward to seeing it on DVD. I'm certainly glad I got to see it but I wish even more I had seen it on the big screen. The film is visually spectacular, brilliantly visual, just stunning and well done special effects and a unique flare that you will not forget. That being said...dazzling visuals and style does not make a great movie. The story leaves a lot wide open that you feel is sort of empty filler. I'm not sure they really delved into the idea that THEE famous President Lincoln was a vampire hunter. Sometimes it felt like this guy could be anyone rather than a famous historical figure. There was so much content to this movie that I think it was almost too ambitious to cram into one film. The idea of sequels doesn't work because we all know how Lincoln's life ends so they do try to work everything they can into it. Still despite a slightly less than impressive story the film stuns you with its fight scenes, gadgets and death scenes. A dizzying array of gritty, Gothic and gory fun.
Benjamin Walker carries this film very well. I think you'll see him pop up as the lead in many more films like this one. His on screen charisma is decent and he pulls off the role with ease. I was slightly under-impressed by the makeup job that they did for him when he was older Abe Lincoln but that isn't his fault. I just thought for how visually stunning the film was, the makeup was poor on him. Dominic Cooper plays a good role that I think is a little underused in the film. Still he is a good mentor for Lincoln and has a good mysterious past that is used well. Rufus Sewell makes a good solid villain. Now an amazing villain, but not for lack of his performance. The main villain I think is underwritten but Sewell does his very best with what he is given. Supporting cast, especially Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jimmi Simpson do a good job in their perspective roles. There are no issues at all with anyone's performance, everyone does a great job. The issue is that the characters are not written with enough depth. Everyone is so good and the characters seem so interesting that its disappointing to see them underused.
Perhaps this would have made a better big budget TV Series so they could really explore the characters. I don't think they could have gotten a better director though in Timur Bekmambetov. His vision is literally breathtaking and he takes a 6/10 script and turns it into an 8/10 movie. Its well worth seeing and a great comic adaptation visually but the story will leave you wondering what more there could have been. Still a good solid action flick. 8/10