Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter sets itself in an fictional retelling of one of America's greatest historical figures. In this version however, the mother of Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) was murdered by the vampire Jack Barts (Marton Csokas) after they dared to defend black slaves (who apparently are vampires preferred choice for feasting because no-one cares about them). Set for revenge, Lincoln aims to eliminate the vampire who wronged him only to find he his grossly out-matched. He is saved by Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper with a god-awful bouffant), who trains him montage-stylee to be a vampire hunter.
Lincoln is then dispatched to Springfield, Ohio where he will prepare to face the vampire that killed his mother in due time. Here Lincoln meets his future wife, Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who is completely and utterly oblivious to his vampire hunting ways. It's during his time in Springfield that he becomes more politically active, believing that to be the true way is to abolish slavery - which no doubt upsets the father of all Vampires, Adam (Rufus Sewell).
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| It may be hard to believe but silver-tipped axes and top hats were indeed all the rage in 1827 |
The problem with the film is that it takes itself far too seriously. If it was somewhat light-hearted in it's approach to the plot, you might have been able to embrace it more. For example, when Lincoln's only child dies I felt absolutely nothing, yet this part is supposed to be a driving moment that causes Lincoln to return to his true axe-wielding, vampire hunting ways. But as I said, I felt jack shit about his little bambino biting the dust. In fact you care for no-one in this film, not even the titular character.
When I look back on it, there was also a fair bit of moralising. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but slavery provides a strong political undertone in this film. And had it been any good I guess I wouldn't have a problem with it. Yet it wasn't, and at that point it just becomes quite offensive and almost makes a complete and utter mockery of one of America's most poignant moments in history - The Emancipation Proclamation.
In fairness the acting was decent. Indeed, Walker makes for a very convincing Abraham Lincoln. However, characters with uninspiring dialogue and no depth are just not worth anyone's attention no matter how well they're portrayed.
Maybe this should have been adapted as a TV series that could rival the current crop of cheesy gorefest vampire dramas such as True Blood. A period piece pitted against the modern whiny lot. And perhaps if it didn't take itself too seriously it might have had a chance. Sadly it's just one of those films where it's so bad, it's just plain bad.
2 comments:
Good review Surekha. This movie was a lot of fun, believe it or not, but whenever they focused on the plot/story/history, it got boring. Also, should have been as ridiculous as the title suggested.
Thanks Dan. I agree, had it perhaps been the silly vampire gore-fest it was clearly meant to be, this would've been really enjoyable. But as you rightly pointed out, the serious interjections here and there diluted the direction and entertainment value of the film.
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