“The Fifth Element” director Luc Besson presents his artistic spin on “Dracula”, and for the most part, it’s pretty engaging. Certainly much more successful than Guillermo del Toro’s recent, bland take on “Frankenstein”, which is up for nine Oscars. I actually think “Dracula” could be in the Academy Awards Makeup & Hairstyling, Costume Design and Production Design categories this time next year. And who knows… maybe Danny Elfman’s score makes it in too.
It’s 1880. Dracula (played by Caleb Landry Jones) has longed for his dead wife Elisabeta for 400 years. He’s still searching for her in reincarnated form. Two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz plays a Priest who learns of women put under Dracula’s perfume spell, who then quickly become vampires. There’s solid commentary throughout on the religion and science clash.
Besson’s screenplay is a little drawn-out, and there are parts in the middle that definitely could’ve been tightened. But the performances are all terrific, including Zoe Bleu, in the key role of Mina. And the visuals (like the CG gargoyles that give you a Jim Henson meets Tim Burton with a splash of Harry Potter vibe in Dracula’s castle) are memorable.
What packs the most punch in this “Dracula” is the intense romance — the fight for love and the sacrifices made. There’s a sequence in the second half at a carnival that’s quite moving. It takes you out of the idea that you’re watching a Dracula movie. I think that was the point. There’s a little blood and gore, but not nearly as much as you’d expect. Besson’s non-traditional POV allows it to stand out amongst many of the other versions.
LCJ GRADE: B
Running Time: 129 min.