Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Movie Blurb by Shale June 23, 2012 This was one of two movies I wanted to see this weekend but yesterday was a complete washout and I stayed inside all day. But today there was a break in the rain and I managed to bike to the Cinema (and if Hurricane Debbie in the Gulf pulls more to the west I may be able to get out again tomorrow.) You know I had to see this movie with such an absurd premise like Cowboys & Aliens my favorite sci-fi/western. The story is from a novel written by Seth Grahame-Smith. After reading a review by our local critic who dismissed this movie with one star out of four, I immediately went to see the aggregate reviews on Rottentomatoes, which showed only 38% of critics cared for it. But 75% of audiences liked it. It is one of those movies that have lots of things wrong with it (even I can see that) but it was still an entertaining summer flick. As the title says, there are vampires in Abe's world, which he discovers after observing one kill a family member one night as a child. As a grown man Abe (Benjamin Walker), attempts to kill the guy he saw that night only to find himself fighting a super-strong assailant who is about to kill him - until Henry Sturgess (Dominick Cooper) intercedes and saves him. Seems Henry is a vampire hunter and recruits and trains Abe into assisting him. Of course Abe's weapon of choice as a rail splitter is an axe, which is treated with silver which we all know is bad news to vampires. Abe Lincoln Ready to Hunt Vampires However, in this movie vampires have somehow gained an unexplained ability to move about in the sun (which, to me sorta deviates too much from the traditional vampire canon). Anyhow, Henry sets Abe off on hunting vampires with his help and Abe gets pretty good at dispatching the undead. Abe & Henry Henry tells Abe about Adam (Rufus Sewell) the ancient vampire who came to the New World and produced all the others. He also lets Abe know that the vampires are living in the South where they have ample slaves to feed on with no one getting suspicious of the disappearances. Adam - Vampire Daddy Abe is joined by his childhood friend Will Johnson (Anthony Mackie) who needs legal help on proving that he is not a runaway slave but a freeborn negro. Soon Will is pulled into the battle after he is abducted by Adam to lure Abe. Abe & Will The movie loosely follows events in Abe Lincolns life, putting a new spin on why certain things are done. It has his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and the death of one of his kids - all pretty much the history. The Civil War is involved, and Adam and the vampires are allied with the Confederacy because he wants to make his own nation with slavery to keep the vampires fed. The decisive battle at Gettysburg explains anew why the Rebels almost won on the first day but the Union was able to thwart them the next two days and win the war. It's not the best of movies but has some good special effects - some so good you have to increase your suspension of disbelief just to enjoy them. This movie is in 3-D but I saw it in 2-D, so the effects may be even better if you want to shell out the extra money.
i enjoyed wanted, and that was by the same director, so i'll want to see this on that basis alone. i've got a feeling that i may end up being disappointed by this though if all the reviews out there are generally underwhelming.
Thanks for the updated & review on the movie I had been wondering about it, I think I'm going to watch it now
I saw it the other night at the drive-ins. Safe to say, I believe one must be stoned to enjoy this, luckily we were. It is a hilariously bad movie. Not sure if it was intended to be serious or not. The dialogue was hilarious, especially during the romance.. If you're lucky and can get in for free like I would, go for it. I wouldn't pay money to see it.
There are still Drive-Ins? Don't tell me you were in the trunk when they drove in. (I did that once when I was young - I think all teen boys did in my day)
You forgot to mention the most important part... It ISN'T a TIM BURTON film... And not my cup of tea, but if you guys enjoyed it.. To each there own.. Perhaps I need to re-evaluate after drinking a 2-4 and see what happens to my opinion
Saw this movie months ago, matters not wheter a Tim Burton or not but I thought it a great comedy, I mean no vampire film is serious! I'm a vampire movie fan and always have been, this one makes a nice change from the run of the mill Vamp fils----when's it out on DVD?
