8/10
A voyage of blood and drama
3 September 2023
I think that most people who went into this film was expecting a beat for beat of the same script that was written by Bram Stockers but if that were so we would of had a film that lasted 45 mins since it was a short chapter in the novel.

This on the other hand is a more drawn out depiction of fear and distrust amongst the crew and why back in the day every man on board a ship was full of superstition. I had myself laughing at certain parts when people had to remind others that woman aboard a vessel was a bad omen or when someone is mistakenly taken for a sick individual, they would suggest draining them of blood to be cured.

Of course all nonsense, but this is how the world worked back in the day. I felt as every character had an important role to play on the ship except maybe 2 characters but otherwise solid performances all around including Hawkins, Cunningham and the boy who's name is Woody Norman. (great actor for a kid) David Dasmaltchian is a superb actor and can turn from a brave sailor to a sobbing and very frighten man.

Now I loved the Dracula look and as he kept feeding his body would morph into a strong more vicious Bat like demon, my only gripe was not actually having an actor playing Dracula in his wing bat form but a majority of the time he is flying around and sucking,slashing and even ripping bodies to shreds. I get its easier to make a CGI character than to put someone under the chair and have them go through 4-6 hours of make up but for Draculas first phase it would of helped a lot more to build that creepy and eerie look that CGI cannot convey.

I also enjoy the cinematography to the point that I was finding myself gazing upon the back drop and wondering how much was CGI and what was green screen it was very beautiful but yet unsettling under terrential downpours and darkened skies with moonlit nights.

To all those individuals that are mocking those who havent read the novel or watched Coppola's film, have a hard time determining from what is a full length movie based on a novel and what is an exploited chapter of a book and drawn out to bring depth with sorrow and despair in what a voyage of 2 weeks would feel like aboard a ship with a beast that feeds on the living. 8/10

If you love gothic horror and films that are tight and very little areas to explore such as Alien or The Thing, you will enjoy this fresh take on a classic tale.
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