A great spectacle; didn't take itself too seriously.

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 2004)

This film is getting slammed a lot but I really liked it. True, the production values were over the top: the music was a bit heavy-handed, the special effects were, at times, overly cartoon- y compared to the live action stuff (Dr. Jeckyll is an example)--also, maybe at 34 I'm showing a generational lack of CGA sensibilities but I would have found the special effects more interesting if they hadn't moved so quickly I couldn't actually see them. That was a bit irritating.
On the positive side the settings and costumes (not to mention the actors) were quite intriguing eye candy that pleasantly drew me in. The animation of Dracula's Brides was really lovely, as were many of the CGA landscapes. The movie didn't take itself seriously so I didn't feel the fact that it's just an entertaining diversion (and not a FILM) was particularly burdensome. It entertained me in a way older movies often do--the spectacle, watching more as an audience member than being completely sucked in. I also thought the ending was appropriate and really appreciated it (except for the cheese factor at the very end). I found this movie to be a thoroughly entertaining afternoon and nothing more.