Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of warfare, vampire attacks, disturbing images, and some sensuality.
Starring Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon and Charles Dance
Directed by Gary Shore
Dracula Untold was far more entertaining than I expected.
Almost an entire century after the world’s cinematic introduction to Dracula placed audiences under his haunting spell, the studio that pioneered the genre reawakens one of the legend’s most captivating figures in an action-adventure that heralds a pulse-pounding rebirth of the age of monsters. Luke Evans (Fast & Furious 6, and The Hobbit series) transforms from the cursed man history known as “Vlad the Impaler” to an all-powerful creature of the night in Universal Pictures’ Dracula Untold, the origin story of the alluring immortal we have come to fear as the sun sets: Dracula.
This latest reboot/retelling of the classic Dracula story felt more like a Marvel studio release than a classic horror film. In this origin story we see the Count as a fearsome warrior, a defender of the innocent, a caring father and husband who gave up literally everything to protect his family and people. If nothing else it is a creative, interesting take on the character. I mean, can “Vlad the Impaler” really be a good-guy?
Well it didn’t hurt to cast Luke Evans in the lead role. He is believable, fearsome and sympathetic all at the same time. It also doesn’t hurt to have the narrator give us his origin-before the-origin, recounting his time as the brutal “Impaler” but also explaining that he’s given up fighting and has retired home to Transylvania with his lovely wife and young son.
While we all know how Vlad’s story will eventually turn out, Dracula Untold keeps us intrigued by the sheer desperation of his predicament. He is given incredible powers for three days, but must refuse to give in to the blood thirst that plagues every vampire. If he can deny it, he’ll return to normal; but if not he’ll be damned for eternity.
Besides an interesting and creative origin story, there are impressive battle scenes and some very cool CGI. From Vlad’s “radar vision” to seeing an entire battalion wiped out by a swarm of bats, Dracula Untold looks spectacular.
It is far from “high art,” but it is an action-packed, high-energy, very entertaining Dracula story and I thought it was worth a “Rental.”
Should Kids See It?
There is no sex or nudity – a rarity for Dracula films. And only one use of the word hell.
This is rated PG-13 because of the intense sequences of warfare, vampire attacks, and disturbing images.
Conversation Starter:
- How is this portrayal of Dracula different from others that you have seen?
- How much does Vlad sacrifice to save his family?
- In the story, Vlad’s desire to save his family was honorable, but are there some things that are unacceptable to sacrifice?
- I know it’s tough to think about losing our family. And most of us would do almost anything for them. But the question you have to ask yourself is, do we value our family or anything in this world more than our “soul” – our faith in Christ?
- I challenge you to examine your own life, ask yourself… Is anything worth more than your soul? Are you placing anything in your life first other than your faith in Jesus?
Read Matt. 16:26 (NLT)
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.