terrific, sensual , entertainment

Rating: 8/10 (14 September 2006)

Where to start. This is one of my all-time favourite movies, horror or otherwise. Coppola does a fantastic job of brining Stoker's story back to the Victorian era. The sets are lavish, the costuming and photography excellent. Kilar's core is simply haunting, breathtaking in spots, it stays in your head forever.
What I really loved about this though was the acting. Oldman is great actor and he simply becomes Vlad Drakul. Amazing stuff. Hopkins Van Helsing is a bit punchy, but that suits this version just fine. Winona Ryder was considered too young at the time for this serious project, but I think she does some of her best work. She is innocent and romantic and totally appealing. The rest of the cast is good too, though some work out better than others.
My only real complaints with this version, and they are very minor, is Tom Waits doesn't quite have a handle on Reinfeld and the ending is all Coppola, differing form James V. Hart's script quite a bit. Still its marvelously entertaining from start to finish. Each time I watch it its like a new experience. Very, very good film. It certainly doesn't stint on the scares, or the blood! a must for serious fans of horror.