Product Description

The master of modern horror, Wes Craven, presents a riveting adaptation of the chilling classic featuring Jennifer Esposito (SUMMER OF SAM), Omar Epps (IN TOO DEEP), Jonny Lee Miller (TRAINSPOTTING), Vitamin C (GET OVER IT), and Jeri Ryan (STAR TREK: VOYAGER). When a team of techno-savvy thieves breaks into a high-security vault, they don't discover priceless artwork ... they find a crypt that hasn't been opened for 100 years! Suddenly, the ancient terror of Dracula is unleashed in the chaotic 21st century. Free to follow his pursuits of seduction and power, Dracula's first destination is America and the exotic city of New Orleans, a place where he feels right at home. Not far behind, however, is a young vampire hunter (Miller) from London, determined to save a young woman (Justine Waddell) with whom Dracula shares his dark legacy!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17656 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-07-03
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

Amazon.com
As a director, Wes Craven has been able to infuse his horror movies with humor and some smart, often genuinely creepy, thrills, even on his lowest-budgeted films. As a producer of horror movies, well, his record has been spotty at best. Craven tapped his longtime editor Patrick Lussier to direct Dracula 2000, and the movie ends up with all the good and bad of "a Wes Craven production." A modern-day update of the Dracula legend, the script has some genuinely good ideas. Christopher Plummer (The Insider) takes a relatively juicy role as Van Helsing, owner of an antiques shop specializing in ancient weapons. He takes exception to how his namesake was portrayed in Bram Stoker's classic novel, which he's more than happy to tell his assistant (Jonny Lee Miller, "Sick Boy" from Trainspotting) without telling him the whole story. When Omar Epps leads a band of high-tech criminals to break into Van Helsing's high security vault (thinking that with so much security there's got to be something extremely valuable in there), what they end up stealing is the body of Dracula, who of course awakens from his slumber. When the story shifts to New Orleans, where Van Helsing's estranged daughter is working for the local Virgin Megastore (here metaphor is replaced by product placement), Dracula is drawn to her. The undead start to multiply, and the vampire hunt resumes. Another excellent idea deals with a new origin to Dracula, flashing back to biblical times to explain his aversion to silver and crosses. But there is a downside. Under the inept direction of Lussier the movie is never scary, inspiring instead an occasional feeling of pity for the actors. Overall, this a vampire movie for the mind, not the heart. --Andy Spletzer

Customer Reviews

Not Worth Watching
The film starts with a sailing ship "Demeter" in a storm in the late 19th century. Only one leaves footprints in the sand. Next we are in modern London. Van Helsing inspects an antique crossbow; its for his personal collection. The Carfax store is attacked by robbers who open the vault. The new technology falls to new tricks. Is it an inside job? Will something go wrong? Van Helsing does not want the police to investigate; he has his secrets. The robbers find what was hidden in that casket, and live to regret their crimes. Mary has strange nightmares. [The film loosely follows the original novel] A TV news team discovers something they won't see on TV.

There are surprises, terror, comedy, and action. Van Helsing explains his mission to stop Dracula. The story jumps around a bit. Some of the scenes lack credibility. The older films had a better story than these special effects. [Don't those firearms violate British laws?] Writers who modify classic works are seldom as good as the originals. Will those historical records provide a clue? Will Mary seek shelter in a cemetery? Revelers party in strange costumes at Mardi Gras for drama. [Are you getting tired of this movie?] There is a final surprise ending. It's a shame that all that money produced such a poor film. Special effects are no substitute for a good story.

Fun, fun, fun
Make no mistake, this movie is imperfect, odd and cheesy. In other words, it's a pure guilty pleasure. Sit back and enjoy it. Plus, it's got Jonny Lee Miller and Gerard Butler to look at, and Justine Waddell is a unique choice for the lead role (she hails from BBC fare such as Wives and Daughters and Tess of the D'Urbervilles).

The sexiest dracula ever!
I fantasized for days after viewing this movie. I would give it 5 stars if they had a longer or better relationship together. I would have surrender and done anything he (Dracula)asked me to do with pleasure. The love making scenes rocked my world and imagination! They left me craving more.... It could have been better.