As ridiculous as the title may sound, the concept of ABRAHAM
LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER is solid. Based on the best-selling novel, it is an imaginative
and nearly clever fresh-take on an all-too familiar person and events in
history. However, just like any good vampire-hunt, it is not the idea that
counts; it’s the execution.
After witnessing his mother murdered by a vampire, Abraham
Lincoln (Benjamin Walker), swears revenge and begins a life-long hunt of the
undead. After training and aid from his new friend Henry (Dominic Cooper),
Lincoln discovers a deeper plot to destroy the country and chooses to fight
evil through public service. After becoming President, he eventually comes
face-to-face with Adam (Rufus Sewell), a lead-vampire who is secretly behind
the Civil War.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER is a film which is very true
to its name. There is plenty of hunting and slaying of vampires, but after that…not
much else. The film takes very little time to set up a story with meat on the
bone, and characters are simply glossed over. Each scene of dialogue seems to
exist only to set up an action sequence, and the film can’t even fall into a class
of a comic-book style story; for even a comic can let you know what’s going on
inside of a character’s head.
With such a high concept of one of the country’s most
beloved Presidents being an axe-wielding vampire be-header, the film needed
grounding to hold interest. This is where HUNTER gains a little bit of
momentum. The vampire-infestation is weaved into historical events and actually
make sense; good enough that many of Lincoln’s writings and speeches (including
his Gettysburg Address) suddenly have a different meaning when thinking about
vampires. The time-period of 1860 is remarkably brought back to life, and scenes
such as Lincoln addressing Congress and Gettysburg are stunning. However, these
efforts are very sparse and leaves you wanting more.
Benjamin Walker fits the part of Lincoln very well. He looks
GREAT as Lincoln, is fun to watch, holds the film together, and eerily looks
like a young Liam Neeson (seriously…it’s creepy). Dominic Cooper puts in a very
good effort, but other actors such as the main villain (Rufus Sewell) and
Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) are left to serve only as
placeholders.
Director Timur Bekmambetov is known for his flashy action
sequences, and here he doesn’t let the 1860’s hold his style back. Some of the
action is over-the-top and in other places gory and gritty, and that is probably the film's greatest fault in that it doesn't take itself seriously for very long. Overall ABRAHAM
LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER is fun and interesting, but forgets to bring a story to
the party.
BOTTOM LINE: Rent it
For the most part I agree with you, except I think I found it a little more enjoyable. Many of us know Abe Lincoln's story and some basic civil war history so delving down that road deeper with the script while having Abe axe up vamps could be overkill. That said, a little bit more of it couldn't have hurt either. The over the top concept of Abe vs. Vamps was fun while played straight - and just enough connection to historical periods to establish that this is ABE- so I enjoyed it...in the theatre.
ReplyDeleteI agree...after some thought I think they could have beefed up the plot a little more by focusing more on Abe and less on Henry. I understand the need for the Henry character but he got to be intrusive to the point where he was taking over the movie. Even the very end seemed to forget about Abe.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, if you're there for vamp-slaying and little else it's a good time at the theatre.
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