Bram Stoker's classic

Rating: 10/10 (4 August 2007)

Francis Ford Coppola brings to the screen what is to me THE best film adaptations of the classic novel ever filmed to date. It's well paced, well directed, very atmopsheric and haunting, it's very creepy too. The look of the film is jaw-dropping, combining German expressionism with vivid colors and strange visuals very reminiscent of Argento's Suspiria. Gary Oldman does a great job as the title character, who lives on it's very own, with the scariness of Max Schrek with the subtle seductiveness of Frank Langella. Winona Ryder does a beautiful and convincing portrayal of Mina Murray. Anthony Hopkings is great as Van Helsing, who, whilst stays true to the original, has some Hannibal Lector vibes to him. The only miscast is Keanu Reeves. He really sucks in the role of Jonathan Harker, and was so terribly miscast. It's probably the only thing that really bothered me about the film. The romantic twist in the story is very nice and it's not corny as it may sound, but the film would have worked just as well without it, but still and highly recommended.