A dramatic story in the style of MTV

Rating: Null/10 (25 June 1999)

I'm not a 'Dracula' purist, I don't really know the way the story is *supposed* to be told, but my guess is that 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' would not satisfy those people who do care about such things. I think that Francis Ford Coppola has probably left his golden years (The Godfather, etc) behind forever -- he directs this movie as though it were some sort of an MTV music video. My two main acting (or perhaps casting) gripes are probably with Keanu Reeves and Gary Oldman. Keanu is his usual deadpan self -- it was to be expected, but I would've liked to see a bit more depth brought to the role. And Oldman as the Count -- what can I say, he just didn't develop that sense of combined elegance and dread I associate with the character. Winona Ryder surprised me by being quite fitting in the role of Mina -- also her 'possession' scene is quite well done and probably the creepiest scene in the movie. Anthony Hopkins is great and over-the-top at the same time, but I think it's what Van Helsing's character requires. He is dramatic and funny at the same time, and is always a joy to watch ("An autopsy? Oh no, nothing like that, I just want to cut off her head and take out her heart."). His scene with Jonathan and Mina at the dinner table is quite funny as well. The movie is frequently beautiful to watch, visually, but Coppola directs as if his audience has a very short attention span. This got on my nerves after a while. It is, however, a very entertaining movie, which is all I really expected it to be.