Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Leofwine_draca So here we have it: Dracula updated for the new millennium, a cross between Victorian repression and modern-day themes, all wrapped up in a package not too dissimilar from Hammer's Dracula 1972 A.D. I'm really not too sure what to make of it. Compared to the Dracula flicks of old, this is vampire-lite; a film happy to go through the old clichés without adding much of anything new to the mix (aside from a last-real twist that attempts to pair the Dracula myth to the Bible, but is only partly successful and seems a little bit as if it's been thrown in for the sake of it). On the other hand, compared to much modern horror, it does the job: there's plenty of action, an interesting cast and a not-too-stupid script. We could happily live without this film's existence, but it isn't really a chore to watch.The first surprise is with the titular casting: a pre-stardom Gerard Butler plays the vamp here, on the first rung of the ladder to fame. For much of the production I was just thinking how young Butler looks, and how his acting is nothing compared to what it is later on (such as in 300). He plays sort of a goth-type Dracula, all wavy black hair and long black coat, but the romance surrounding his character stalls and his attempts to be scary never get off the ground. It doesn't help that there's too much in-your-face wirework (why have two characters fight on the ground when they could fly up in the air and fight?) which looks clumsy and mishandled.Anyway, I enjoyed the film's beginning. The coffin shenanigans are fun to watch and there are a few minor chills before Dracula emerges from his resting place. After that, it seems to fall apart a bit, and the ending is a let down. Christopher Plummer is well cast as Van Helsing, with a major twist to his character, but he's sorely underused and barely has any screen time. As for the supporting cast members: South African-born Justine Waddell is rather uninteresting as Mary (aka Mina), Dracula's main victim; Colleen Fitzpatrick's Lucy is a bimbo; Jonny Lee Miller is slightly embarrassed as the youthful male lead; Omar Epps makes for a fine, frightening and humorous vampire and Jeri Ryan steals the show as one of Dracula's sexy, seductive brides.The action-based narrative moves along swiftly leaving little time for boredom and the vampire antics are mildly engaging, with lashings of bloodshed and flying severed heads to keep things moving, although the old Hollywood cliché of having partners pair off for extended battles at the climax – and the subsequent intercutting between said fights – is thoroughly irritating. Astonishingly, for such an under-the-radar movie that's been virtually forgotten about ten years after it came out – two sequels have followed to date.

Anssi Vartiainen Dracula 2000 is one of those films that doesn't appear to be anything else than another cheesy B-flick with a paper thin plot, bland characters and awful dialogue. And while granted it is a B-flick in tone, it has more depth than that.First of all, it has some real acting talent working for it. Both Christopher Plummer as Van Helsing and Gerard Butler as Dracula are very good actors in their own right and it shows. Butler is not a perfect fit for the character of Dracula, but he is much better than you'd expect. The more minor actors are also refreshingly decent and do manage to keep the story afloat throughout the entire film.The story is also good and smooth, if somewhat basic in principle, the special effects work surprisingly well and the soundtrack fits the style well. But what I really love about this film is the way it uses and re-purposes vampire lore. It uses all the usual clichés skillfully, but the best part is the new backstory they give Dracula. It's unlike anything I've seen, yet fits perfectly, neatly explaining most of the idiosyncrasies he has. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and I do hope it catches on.And that's Dracula 2000. It's a good film with some hints of greatness, despite the goofy name. Well worth a watch for all vampire horror fans.

Kim Sikoryak I am surprised at some of the low-rated reviews for this title--and the stated reasons for the low ratings. In my opinion, Wes Craven here presents the most novel and compelling re-envisioning of the Dracula story since Lugosi. As far as originality and a fresh direction, this makes Coppola's production seem like a bloated but tired, over-produced rehash. Yes, Gary Oldman is a consummate actor and a great Count. But in Francis' version, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves are totally flaccid and uninteresting. And Anthony Hopkins embarrasses himself with such an over-the-top portrayal of Van Helsing that I wouldn't be surprised if Oldman hasn't talked to him since. Tony almost seems to be purposely lampooning the story.Don't expect $100 million special effects. Craven had to make do on a shoestring budget. But that seems to have forced him to focus on the story rather than the flash. Butler could certainly have upped the intensity rather than relying so heavily on his drop-dead good looks to establish Dracula's charisma. No question, Gerard underplays the role, though that only seems to add moodiness and atmosphere--and is consistent with the character as he is presented in the story. Dracula is so bitter and internally conflicted that he hasn't got a lot to say to his victims--or even his pursuers. Also conflicted is the wonderful Christopher Plummer, who is so present in the role of Van Helsing that he really sells the premise of the whole re-invention in the film's first few minutes.For levity, Dracula's new brood of followers have a lot of trendy, new-age comments to make on the pluses and minuses of their new, undead status. They come off as Katzenjammer kids with fangs--but as amusing as they are, they still bite. They seem to be the only ones really having fun here: vampirism as a form of delightful liberation right up until the moment the stake sinks in.As Drac movies go, this is a winner. By the way, Plummer has been criticized by some reviewers for his curious pronunciation of the Count's honorific. But it is actually proper. If you were addressing him as Count or Vlad, yes, "Dracula" would be the correct form. But if it's the only identifier, then the single term "Draculea," just as Plummer pronounces it, is correct.Three cheers for the Count. Although Butler isn't quite as pretty here as Langella, he's got more to work with as far as engaging and original backstory. And he is spared Olivier's Van Helsing as kvetching crybaby. What it is about Van Helsing? No one did it better than Edward Van Sloan until Plummer came along in the 21st century.

wes-connors In 1897, while the credits roll, rats crawl around some presumably dead bodies on a ship. Without explanation, we are diverted to 2000 London. Elderly antique collector Christopher Plummer (as Matthew Van Helsing), presumably the descendant of Bram Stoker's original vampire hunter, discusses business with surrogate son Jonny Lee Miller (as Simon Sheppard). Meanwhile, a gang of thieves looking for treasure break into Mr. Plummer's vault. They find a sealed coffin. The crooks assume it to be filled with riches, although they are unable to look inside. The take the coffin to New Orleans by plane...The titular "Dracula" is released, by daring Danny Masterson (as Nightshade). Gerard Butler (as Dracula) acts the roll vainly. There is a good deal of vampire action. The women herein are very sexy, beginning with beautiful bed camera angles uncovering "Virgin" clerk Justine Waddell (as Mary Heller). She has a secret. Also look out for seductive roommate Colleen Fitzpatrick (as Lucy), self-described sucker Jennifer Esposito (as Solina) and luscious TV newscaster Jeri Ryan (as Valerie Sharpe), The film has a twist on the "Dracula" story which you may find clever or stupid; my reaction was definitely the latter.**** Dracula 2000 (12/22/00) Patrick Lussier ~ Gerard Butler, Jonny Lee Miller, Justine Waddell, Christopher Plummer