"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" successfully melds horror, patriotism, and history into an energetic thrill ride.

Rating: 8/10 (22 June 2012)

Ever since seeing a screening of Timur Bekmambetov's Russian masterpiece "Night Watch," I've made it a habit to watch anything the producer / director puts his stamp of approval on. Most everything he's been involved in I've liked or appreciated. His movie "Wanted" is probably my favorite action vehicle of the last decade. It doesn't seem like anything in that genre can thrill me after witnessing all the unbelievable scenes and adrenalized energy emanated by that film. Even the movie "9," which he produced with Tim Burton, was interesting even in its imperfection.
Bekmambetov has hit gold again with "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter." Successfully marrying history with horror and vampire lore is risky business. Some people get very touchy when you start playing with historical figures and happenings. Original book author Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the screenplay, leading me to believe the final outcome is the way he wanted it to be. Obviously, Bekmambetov added the martial arts flavor to the mix.
"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is an entertaining movie that will have Americans cheering for their country while simultaneously enjoying some great decapitations and gore. I saw a screening of the film on Juneteenth and it really helped hit home the importance of what Lincoln did for the U.S. in a fun and unique way. Much like "30 Days of Night," this is a return to the world of scary vampires. These bloodsuckers don't sparkle in the sun and quote romantic poetry. If that's what you're looking for, this isn't for you.