A terrifying epic novel torn apart

Rating: 5/10 (10 September 2009)

I will not say too much on this title. Just 2 good points and 2 bad points.
Good point 1 - The story sticks very rigidly to the original novel...aside from the romance between Dracula and Mina. It truly got horribly annoying to watch this film, especially so soon after reading the book. Because of it, the character of Mina was completely....COMPLETELY destroyed and changed!!! In fact, her role was swapped for Dracula's. He seems good, and you can empathise with him in it!! Obscene!!! I guess this is now a 3rd bad point and now we are down to one good point. (best to save best until last so the 2 bad points now).
Bad point no 1 (or 2) - The film seems to have been made too dramatic...too much of the 'in-your-face' music, too much fast paced cinematic devices with the camera. Just treat the material with respect and let it tell the story for itself.
Final Bad point - KEANU REEVES!!!!! I'd like to just leave it there, but that would be unfair. I must give my reasons....firstly, his over played British accent (take it easy!!) that continually slips into American on words that I guess don't normally have a heavy British inflexion (short words at the end of the sentence for example). And also his diabolical acting. 2 examples, his reaction when seeing Dracula for the 1st time in London, and also his pleading with Mina when on the ship (he really doesn't seem too worried).
Only Good Point - Anthony Hopkins. By far the best Van Helsing I have ever seen act. Completely eccentric, but believably a genius. Hell bent on a righteous path, seemingly as a madman mostly, but there are points in time throughout the movie that reveal his character as caring, genuine, honourable and true. A gentleman on a divine mission