A modern classic fantasy/horror/adventure.

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2012)

I went in to see this knowing nothing about it, and was prepared to see another "misfire"--the typical thing one sees nowadays--a good idea only half explored or half executed. Most films I see fall very short of what I consider good and that's what I expected here.
Imagine my absolute surprise when I found that "Abe Lincoln" is 1. a nicely executed period film with great sets and costumes, 2. a wildly paced action special effects feast, 3. an effectively witty self-satirical historical rewrite and 4. a gruesomely graphic horror flick! This is basically a "10" film with a few flaws. And nowadays, that ain't bad.
The humor here is quite subtle, most of the time. This film presents what is essentially a very tall tale, suggesting to the viewer that one of America's greatest Presidents was actually also a fearsome, axe-swinging, monster-slaughtering badass. The story of how all this came to be is lovingly presented as the most serious thing in the world, despite its patent ridiculousness.
The Civil War-era story links the intended secession of the Southern states with the rise to power of vampires in those states; so vampirism becomes a metaphor for slavery and man's general inhumanity to himself. In the wrapup, evil is merely driven away temporarily, and continues to be stalked by the avenging hunters; what current human evil is today the ally of the vampires?
In the midst of what is basically an impossible and absurd story are real human emotions and a strong backbone of morality. The result is simultaneously silly and profoundly moving.
In terms of story craftsmanship, this is an impressive piece. It's an old-school "birth of the hero" story that recalls the tone of earlier Hollywood epics and historical biopics, but in this case, it also serves up gaggles of vicious monsters.
This is a film so strange that many scratch their heads, but I think it will come to be regarded as a classic of genre cinema.
Many laughs, scares, and thrilling moments. Yeah. I loved it.