Dracula 2000 (2000) - Horror

Dracula 2000 (2000) - This film was poorly received when it come out and continues to suffer on IMDB.com. Part of the problem is that it really attempts to recreate the Dracula myth which is often ill received by horror fans. In this version Dracula (Gerald Butler) has been closed in a coffin for generations while Van Helsing (Christopher Plummer) uses his blood to extend his own life to make sure it stays that way. He has a cover as an antique dealer with Simon Sheppard (John Lee Miller) who specialize in weapons for killing vampires. When a group of thieves including Solina (Jennifer Esposito) and Marcus (Omar Epps) steal the coffin, Dracula is loosed on the world. The myth in this version that we learn through the film is that Dracula is actually Judas and the punishment he received for betraying Jesus, is to become a vampire. Through the story we find out that Dracula is connected to Van Helsing's daughter through the blood the elder had consumed and Dracula sees this as a good revenge. Mary Heller-Van Helsing (Justine Waddell) is living in New Orleans away from her father and having hallucinations of Drac that are increasingly frightening. He is drawn to her and as he closes in her father tries intervene and kill the other vampires Dracula has created, and save his daughter from the monster. The trio of female vampires he creates are wonderfully beautiful, Jennifer Esposito, Jeri Ryan, and Colleen Fitzpatrick and have there sexy scenes. In the end though the movie does not totally satisfy mostly I think because the connection between Dracula and Mary is not solid enough. Also the vampires seem to keep putting themselves in locations where they can be killed, it come together all too easily to make the climax.
Rating (6.2)