Dracula II: Ascension (2003) (V)

Director:

Patrick Lussier

Writers:

Joel Soisson (written by) &
Patrick Lussier (written by)

Release Date:

7 June 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

"Dracula II: Ascension" is a sequel to "Dracula 2000," with the ageless vampire again returning from apparent extinction...

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Dracula | Dracula 2000 | Sequel | Priest

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jennifer Kroll	...	Twins of Evil
Jason Scott Lee	...	Father Uffizi
Craig Sheffer	...	Lowell
Diane Neal	...	Elizabeth Blaine
Khary Payton	...	Kenny
Brande Roderick	...	Tanya
Jason London	...	Luke
Chris Hunter	...	Corello
Tom Kane	...	Doctor (voice)
John Light	...	Eric
Stephen Billington	...	Dracula II
Nick Phillips	...	Officer Smith
John Sharian	...	Officer Hodge
Dragos Balauca	...	Altar Boy
Silviu Olteanu	...	Young Priest

Also Known As:

Wes Craven Presents Dracula II: Ascension (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence/gore and language.

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

UK:15 | Spain:18 | Australia:MA | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 | Japan:R-15 | Norway:15 | Singapore:M18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Company:

Castel Film Romania

Goofs:

Continuity: Luke throws a knotted rope on Dracula, which then disappears and reappears between shots.

Quotes:

Kenny: What have we got here? Have you come to give me a whippin, dad? Have I been that bad?
[charges Uffizi, who strangles him with his whip]
Kenny: I'm not what you think!
Father Uffizi: You're exactly what I think.
Kenny: Do you want my soul, Father? Do you want my soul? Is that it?
Father Uffizi: No, God gets your soul. I just want your head.
[decapitates Kenny]

Movie Connections:

Followed by Dracula III: Legacy (2005) (V)

Ahh, the refreshing taste of emetics

Oh sure, it won't win any awards, but b-movies never do. I'm not sure why the other users enjoyed the opening scene so much, but I enjoyed it for the incredibly bad stunts myself. I laughed out loud as the woman fell down the stairs, onto the landing, and kept falling down the rest of the stairs. Pure gold.

I also happen to know a little behind-the-scenes about this one. Do you know, it was not originally intended to be a straight-to-video release. It was originally scheduled to be released last October. I'm guessing the similarity to the popular Blade II sealed its fate. Do you know, they spent like 3 months or something filming in Romania? I'm not sure what for, considering the movie takes place in New Orleans. Why was Roy Scheider listed in the credits? His part was no more than a cameo. I was rather disappointed about that, because I really enjoy Roy Scheider.

But, for all intents and purposes, this is a rather good b-movie. There are expected, but fun, plot twists, and I never got bored. Well, maybe a little in the very beginning. It was a standard 5-man team of protagonists, a nicely evil Dracula, and a Blade-like vampire hunting priest. Note that I said nicely evil, and not deliciously evil. I will admit that it must be a great challenge for an actor to do most of his work with no lines and no movement (he spends most of the movie confined), but I really could have gone for a more evil Dracula.

I sincerely hope that people aren't renting direct-to-video movies with the idea that greatness lies within: it does not. What this movie does well is know its limitations. Special effects are only used when absolutely necessary, which makes them look much better than some of the really poor effects in Blade (the first one). It's fun, it's interesting, and it's got a good ending. Well worth renting.

Rating: Groovy