Wow! Such a good movie.

the audience applauded

Sadly Over-hyped

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Wes Craven's Dracula 2000 is one of those horror flicks that proudly slaps his name over the title like he runs the show, when in fact he's only participating under a vague executive producer credit. Now that we've got that little detail out of the way we can talk about what a thoroughly awesome movie it is, and how the haters can go suck it. It's a high concept slice of bloody fun and has easily one of the best pairings of an actor with the Dracula mythos ever: Gerard Butler. He's young and lean here, before he turned into a tank later in his career, and he makes one hell of a kick ass Dracula. The story is too good to be true: a team of arch criminals, led by Omar Epps and also including Hyde from That 70's Show (lol) break into the European mansion of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing (Christopher Plummer) and steal the heavy duty coffin which he has stashed in his basement and used to contain Vladdy for over a hundred years. Helsing has always used a compound derived from his blood to keep himself alive all that time and ensure that he never gets loose. The burglars have no idea what they're on for, and pretty soon Butler is loose and ready to get freaky, tearing apart their getaway plane and running off into the chaotic streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. He's searching for a girl (Justine Waddell) to have sex with her and fulfill some horrific prophecy (nice little nod to End Of Days there). Dracula, Mardi Gras, Gerard Butler, Christopher Plummer; four ingredients to pretty much ensure your movie is gonna rock. Plummer makes one of the best on screen Van Helsings in my books, rivaled only perhaps by Anthony Hopkins. Butler is a sleek, hip and sensual Dracula, playing the role to the bloody hilt and sedimenting a really cool rendition of the character, with a surprising twist ending that adds some depth to the guy. Watch for work from Jennifer Esposito, Sean Patrick Thomas, Shane West, Lochlyn Munro and Nathan Fillion as well. Great retelling, or rather addition to the legend, held up by Butler.

This is not my favorite vampire/Dracula film but I didn't hate it either. The movie had it's moments of excitement and action but it did not thrill me as I had expected.I felt something was missing from the film yet I could not place my finger on it. I'm not sure if it was the cast itself or the acting... maybe it was the set or costuming? The story wasn't too bad but it was lacking a bit for me.I will say it's not a horrible film - just not the A+ I was hoping for. It's a pretty good watch for a rainy or otherwise boring day - it will provide some entertainment.5/10

This one is beautifully well done, with an interesting storyline, elaborate graphics, unique style, occasional humor...and a terrific Dracula! All of these factors make this film stand out, even today, in an age filled with vampire films.It is definitely worthy, and really excellent, if not epic.It doesn't look dated at all! Cons: Some of the fight scenes are silly. For example, that Selena surely didn't learn how to fire a gun! It is really a pity that the sequels, Dracula II Ascension & Dracula III Legacy, as good as they are, didn't follow this original film closely.However, Jason Scott Lee. the guy who looks Asian in the following two sequels, did a pretty good job! But I still wonder: why didn't the filmmakers continue the storyline of such a great film which is really close to being a masterpiece? Why the departure from the epilogue of the first film? If only the sequels turned out to be what I wished them to be, things could have been much better! Because this vampire flick deserves a nicer treatment of a trilogy! Yes, the trilogy is nice. Maybe it could have been nicer.

In 1897, while the credits roll, rats crawl around some presumably dead bodies on a ship. Without explanation, we are diverted to 2000 London. Elderly antique collector Christopher Plummer (as Matthew Van Helsing), presumably the descendant of Bram Stoker's original vampire hunter, discusses business with surrogate son Jonny Lee Miller (as Simon Sheppard). Meanwhile, a gang of thieves looking for treasure break into Mr. Plummer's vault. They find a sealed coffin. The crooks assume it to be filled with riches, although they are unable to look inside. The take the coffin to New Orleans by plane...The titular "Dracula" is released, by daring Danny Masterson (as Nightshade). Gerard Butler (as Dracula) acts the roll vainly. There is a good deal of vampire action. The women herein are very sexy, beginning with beautiful bed camera angles uncovering "Virgin" clerk Justine Waddell (as Mary Heller). She has a secret. Also look out for seductive roommate Colleen Fitzpatrick (as Lucy), self-described sucker Jennifer Esposito (as Solina) and luscious TV newscaster Jeri Ryan (as Valerie Sharpe), The film has a twist on the "Dracula" story which you may find clever or stupid; my reaction was definitely the latter.**** Dracula 2000 (12/22/00) Patrick Lussier ~ Gerard Butler, Jonny Lee Miller, Justine Waddell, Christopher Plummer