Film Review Dracula Untold

The Vampire Strikes Back

Film: Dracula Untold

Cast: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper

Directed by: Gary Shore

Duration: 1 hr 32 mins

Rating: * * 1 / 2

Directed by Gary Shore, Dracula Untold makes frail attempt to give a background story to the most popular vampire. The end result is that the product looks like a mix of a Dracula and the routine superhero film. With the exception of the Twilight series (which made money thanks to teenagers), among vampires, only Dracula is a back draw at the box office.

Luke Evans plays Dracula who was born as Vlad Tepes, after serving in the Turkish army he returns to Transylvania. Mehmed (Dominic Cooper) the King decides that he needs a stronger army and recruits more young men from Transylvania, including Vlad’s son. This makes Vlad unhappy and he decides to go to war. 

Considering that he doesn’t have a strong force Vlad strikes a deal with the Master Vampire who gives him extraordinary powers but then there are no free lunches, Vlad has to make a compromise.

While the film starts off on a positive note, the CGI dominated finale is a letdown and all the initial good work is undone. Also, it hardly pays a nod to Bram Stokers classic and you would expect that if the film has Dracula in it. There have been interpretations of Dracula but the story here goes a bit too far in trying to twist it.

It has been a while since we saw anything impressive related to Dracula. Sadly, even with this film, the wait continues.   

Published in The Navhind Times on 19th Oct 2014

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Film Review - Need For Speed

 

Speed Highs

Film: Need For Speed

Cast: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper

Directed by: Scott Waugh

Duration: 2 hrs 12 mins

Rating: * * 1 / 2

The title of the film borrowed from the popular video game, makes it amply clear as to who the target audience is. Those who like fast cars and racing even the plot thin will enjoy this ride, even though we have had enough that in the Fast and the Furious franchise. Those looking for a story and well developed characters, this is not quite the right film.

Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul) is a street racer and going by his skills he can give the Formula 1 drivers a run for their money. He is cheated deceived by another racer, leading to an accident and he is even sent to prison. Once he is out of prison his aim is to participate in a race that is organized clandestinely by this rich man (Michael Keaton). In his endeavor, he gets considerable help from a British girl (Imogen Poots) who joins him on his adventure.

Apart from the race stunts and the car porn, there is nothing particular to harp about here. It is like a Rohit Shetty film, but in English of course. And the cars are much more expensive. Clocking over two hours, the length is also an issue – such kind of action flicks should be short, sweet and to the point. Nevertheless, those who have the need for speed, will have a good time but that doesn’t necessarily make it a good film.

Published in The Navhind Times on 23rd Mar 2014

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