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Film reviews

Dracula Review

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I experienced boredom despite several interesting moments. My eyes were dry, my thoughts were wandering, and this movie kept failing to captivate me. Written and directed by Luc Besson, this is Dracula, a film where revival is such a strong focus. The layout felt promising, but then sadly relied too much on terror to suffice for the rest of the film. Dracula is a dry adventure that left me feeling blurred because of the way science and reality were co-mingled in the picture. Overall, I just was not sold.

The setting is 15th century Romania. The main character is Prince Vladimir/Dracula, played by Caleb Landry Jones, who is a king of power with lust for his young wife. He also fights for his glory with the swordsmanship, so much so that his characterization appears unstoppable. But then a tragedy takes his wife, Princess Elisabeta/Mina, away from him. She is played by Zoe Bleu. It all comes down to believing in God, and that is where Priest comes in. Priest is played by Christoph Waltz. Mina is his experiment. The study of vampires goes way back, but then Vladimir/Dracula comes back from the dead to redeem what is lost. In the end, the power of faith combats everything.

The film just felt like it was pushing too many boundaries. The context was out of place. However, I give much credit to the performance of Waltz. His character is detail-oriented with keenknowledge which allows him to take many risks in the face of uncertainty. When it comes to vampires, the battle just does not work. Dracula relies upon its historical context to explore evil, greed, and lust, but the execution is severely lacking and fails to make the current film exhilarating. 

I went to the movie anticipating much excitement due to the exorcism, but overall, it just never delivered. The crumbling of a dynasty seems to have become the sole focus. So much of the action surrounding the characterizations of Prince Vladimir/Dracula and Elisabeta/Mina just never really clicked. With Elizabeta/Mina being studied by the Priest, that storylinesimply did not add much value. Again, there appeared to be a strong start, but then transitioned to evil spirits lingering which went off in directions that did not speak to me at all. This is one of Besson’s most lacking projects which is unfortunate.

With all the theories and the fantasy vibes, this film is a beauty of a mess. Dracula is presented like the writing was still going on during the process of making the movie. I felt like there werepage-breaks between the scenes. Some were monstrous and medieval, and then scientific later. Then there would inexplicably be a hypothesis or a blank slate.

Despite my frustration, Dracula may have value for some fans, especially those who go deep into backstories of monsters during this era. Overall, the story appears to be presented to make those who believe in hierarchy worship evil. It could havebeen done so much better, instead of being rushed. Two out of four stars for Dracula.

 

Film reviews

Fight or Flight Review

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This is by far one of those suspense thrillers that I found somewhat lackluster. It begins with the setup being that of saving someone. The writing appears to be in scribbles as this film dilly dallies into the sky with much mayhem. There are politics and corruption involved, but that aspect has poor writing as well. Fight or Flight is a title that got me thinking of the phrase “like or dislike”—altogether I am neutral (but something in the back of my mind wants to despise this movie).

The selling point is Josh Hartnett. It is like he is a new Liam Neeson type actor of interest for suspense films. This is because he just did Trap, a film where he is an enemy in a concert. Now, in Fight or Flight, he is a mercenary on a plane. Both of these roles have similarities. The biggest one of them is that they are a blur, glorifying sinisterism without meaning. 

Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, an operative who has done covert missions. He has lived off the grid and developed many bad habits, however, he has a chance for redemption. He is hired byKatherine Brunt (played by Katee Sackhoff), to track down an unidentified and threatening target. For Lucas this is one of those missions that he feels is an entrapment and it truly is. He arranges to get on a flight for this mission and the plane ride is where all the unveiling moments show their true colors. 

The dynamic is very off-putting, as the film rushes its patterns by throwing characters into the mix with a lack of a background.Lucas meets Isha (played by Charithra Chandran). She is on the plane for the same purpose. With the threat lingering on the plane, Fight or Flight turns into an onboard death match which keeps the poor writing and continuity to the lowest level possible. Its violence aims to be like the Netflix series Squid Game. The combat had me sold, but the reasons behind it all happening…not so much. 

When there is suspense on a plane, I tend to want more emphasis on understanding what I am getting into. Fight or Flight did not start with any of that, it just threw in the tangential elements instantly.  Leaving the rails of the main storyline whichwas that there is a threat aboard. Instead of developing what the problem is, the rollercoaster of violence kept going on a tirade. So much so that just lacked a sense of meaning. However, the violence did speak to the film’s title.

One of the most rushed and quality-lacking airport thrillers I have seen. It is hard to see the positive in Fight or Flight, as overall I just felt that the context failed to captivate me. Unfortunately, it will be one of those films that is all based on its viewership. Others may be sold by its concept, but some may not. I was one of those that kept rattling my head and wishing for better. One out of four stars for Fight or Flight.