[Wulfster]

I know there was a thread for the trailer back in Feb, but the film is out this coming Wednesday.

Personally, I'm looking forward to it and hope to see it on Wednesday (possibly in 3D).

I loved Timur Bekmambetov's other films Day-Watch/Night-Watch and especially Wanted.
So it should at least be stylish and fun, and I've got a feeling that expectations may be exceeded...

Of course, I've been wrong before ...

[Ginger Nut]

The trailer looked fun. Either a cult classic or a turkey. Didn't know it was from the Day-Watch/Night-Watch guy though. Both very enjoyable. So there's hope.

[Rorschach]

Well the book itself is a rather dull affair.

It is presented as if it's a history book, like a school text, and unfortunately succeeds rather too well coming across as somewhat dry and a slog to tread through.

There were also, for my tastes, far too many coincidences where Abe's neighbour/uncle/teacher/girlfriend/window cleaner/milkman just happens to be a vampire (most of those are made up, so not a spoiler ). He was, to put it mildly, bloody unlucky with his social circle.

The trailer however comes across as nothing like the book I remember



[PS - Graham-Smith's Pride and Prujudice and Zombies however was excellent]

[Densino]

can't wait for this...however, its got flop written all over it

[Motthus]

I just hope it's as mad as it looks from the trailer!

When I first saw the trailer in the cinema before someone else cheered at the end of the trailer!

Although as previously posted this could be good or terrible!

[Hocus2012]

Saw this today and it was really good,well worth a trip to the cinema 😄

[Wulfster]

I was in Central London today and had arranged to see in the West End vue with some pals ...
... and it was closed down this afternoon "due to technical reasons"

B******ds!!

Too late to re-arrange. Will have to see later this week.

I do think that the promotion has been particularly poor thus far.
It seems "half-hearted" in the UK, but has been given a real push in the US.
I'm guessing that it's due to more relevance to the audience, but "John Major : Vampire Hunter" probably wouldn't have worked for us!

[Arcana]

I'll watch anything with Mary Elizabeth in it.

[Tremse]

I saw it this evening (in 3D) and it was enjoyable nonsense. Lots of slo-mo fight scenes and quite blood-thirsty in parts but it actually worked as a theme.

It managed to weave the fiction of Abraham Lincoln being a Vampire Hunter with the reality of events in his life. I've seen comments on some forums that the film is sacrilege and a disgrace but it's just a film and an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.

Often the last scene in a film is disappointing or confusing but I really liked the last scene in this one.
8/10

[porshacat]

I really cannot believe the premise of this film.
The whole idea seems completely preposterous to me.
How long will it be before the first idiot, U.S. student weaves this story into his term paper/exam answer, believing it to be a true part of honest Abe's life story ?

[MrSuper]

The trailers haven't impressed me thus far and the only word that sprang to mind when i saw them was 'boring'. It didn't excite me in anyway.

So anyone who's seen it, is this a really good film then??

[revolver44]

This looks great fun. Looking forward to it.

[Wulfster]

[quote=MrSuper;58978947]The trailers haven't impressed me thus far and the only word that sprang to mind when i saw them was 'boring'. It didn't excite me in anyway.

So anyone who's seen it, is this a really good film then??[/QUOTE]

Yup.
Saw it today.
In my opinion, it's a great film.
Total hokum but hugely enjoyable.

For a start, the vampires are portrayed as they should be. Scary-mouthed sons-of-bitches!
For another it's played completely straight and serious, and is all the better for it ...

There are some surprisingly solid performances in this as well.
Special shouts go out to Benjamin Walker (as El Presidente), Dominic Cooper and Rufus Sewell.
Also, to Mary Elizabeth Winstead who acts her heart out in one scene, and makes the most of what could have been a perfunctory role.

In one review, somebody described it as a mixture of "Blade" and "Captain America", and I suppose that's a good as description as any.
For fans of Timur Bekmambetov (he of "Wanted" and "Day-Watch"/"Night-Watch" fame), the action is as stylish and over-the-top as you would expect. (Horses are thrown as a weapon at one point!!). And the humble axe is the new weapon of choice!

There are some nice additions and points to vampire lore. Silver is deadly due to the betrayal by Judas ("God's little joke" as one character says..). The Southern States of the US was resistant to the abolishment of slavery, because they were the main food source of the vamps!! And so on ...

One note around the 3D, if you see it in that version. There's the usual indistinct stick-it-in-your-face moments, but the film is filled with "static scenes" and pieces of dialogue where dust/silver/fire particles float around the characters. The only other 3D film where I seen it used to the same affect is "Avatar". Not to the same quality, but full marks to Bekmambetov for utilising it in the same way. But even so, you won't miss a great deal of impact by seeing it in 2D...

My one complaint is that it jumps too quickly from young Abe's exploits to civil-war Abe. And I would imagine students of the civil war will get a lot more out of Gettysburg references than I did ...

BTW, judging by the Wiki entry, this is nothing like the book, but I'm told that's a good thing ...

All in all, a solid 8/10 from me.

And for those that have seen the film ...

Spoiler

Is that supposed to be Obama in that final scene with Henry?! Or am I trying to read too much into it?

[Tremse]

Originally Posted by Wulfster

And for those that have seen the film ...

Spoiler

Is that supposed to be Obama in that final scene with Henry?! Or am I trying to read too much into it?

Yes, that's definitely what I took it to be!!

[blitzben85]

Originally Posted by Tremse

Yes, that's definitely what I took it to be!!

I must have not paid attention, because i didn't. lol

[MissDexter]

Overall a very exciting load of nonsense with some outstanding set-pieces, in particular the horse stampede chase.
Unfortunately the overlong history section towards the third act really does its best to kill an excitement and is quite boring. I accept why all the Gettysburg war sub-plot is there but it's too much and the timing is off. Also it's very difficult for non-Americans to appreciate a lot of their very personal history so this segment doesn't quite gell with non-American audiences.

However, the final climatic battle is very thrilling and almost makes you forget the lull you've just endured.......almost.

As for the spoiler mentioned above......I think that's what the audience is supposed to think.

[LykkieLi]

Tbh the title puts me off. Sounds like a spoof!

[Syntax Error]

I saw this film this week & it was OK.

The premise if completely bonkers, but it was refreshing to see something where vampires are seen as bad & somebody wants to rid the world of them.

We've had too many films/TV programmes where vampires are seen as top dogs or humans want to have relationships with them etc!

[Dai13371]

Is he clean shaven because I really couldn't take seriously a hero with a beard and no moustache.

[Syntax Error]

Originally Posted by Dai13371

Is he clean shaven because I really couldn't take seriously a hero with a beard and no moustache.

I'm afraid not; he's in full Abraham Lincoln facial hair & hat too!!!

[Dai13371]

Great, I'll be thinking of Electric Six and "Gay Bar" too much in order for me to consider it