Brilliant re-imagining of the 30's Universal Monster Classics

Rating: 8/10 (27 October 2004)

If this is what Stephen Summers can do for the old 30's and 40's Universal Monster Classic series of films, then the good Lord only knows what is in store for us with "Flash Gordon"!
This is one of the best summer movies since the first "Mummy", also from Summers. Just like in that film, he's taken the standard mythology of an established series and introduced it to high-tech modern day film production. The integration between live-action photography and computer generated graphics is as seamless as I've ever seen, and puts "The Hulk" to shame. Remember that they are moving the camera and establishing a path for a character that will be digitally inserted later and then you begin to appreciate the expert technical efficiency in which the film was produced. The actors chosen are all professionals and know how to do their job, Roxburgh is given special notice for his ballsy performance as a Dracula that expertly modulates between euro-trash sexy and full-blown campy. Beckinsale does her usual impersonation of a wooden plank, the role did not require much effort in my opinion. Her accent is amusing for all the wrong reasons, same as in "From Hell" with Heather Graham. And just as Graham has no idea how bad her accent is in "From Hell", Beckinsale is also clueless, but it adds to the charm and enjoyment of the film. Silvestri's score is among the best he has ever done and Summers should not take the mediocre and lukewarm reception that "Van Helsing" got from audiences to heart. The film made some money in its secondary life anyway, which is where 80% of all the returns come from these days.
Summers is nearly at the point of mastering his craft and I am looking forward to "Flash Gordon".