Stunning while also overblown

Rating: 7/10 (15 August 2015)

First, costumes and atmosphere, compete side by side with Gary Oldman as the stunning and moving stars of this Coppola film. Maybe Coppola had been sampling too much of his wine, but this film, while staying true to the original source material in some key ways - like Gary Oldman also serving as the coachman of the carriage which picks up Jonathan Harker at the Borgo Pass, the dark period of Harker's imprisonment in the castle - it spins off in some wild moments of melodramatic silliness. One wonders at times if this film is supposed to be a homage in parody of the classic Hammer films which preceded it? Still, it is solely Oldman's superb performance which makes this film so watchable again and again. That and the lush production and scoring, gorgeous costuming and generally artful special effects (excepting the bizarre grafting together of two of Dracula's brides!). Sadly, though definitely easy on the eyes, Reeves and Rider both make one want to break out in giddy giggles at their over-wrought earnestness in trying to convey Victorian English people. Worst of all? The ridiculous vampire bat-wolf raping Lucy on a stone altar in the garden!!!