Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Sep 19, 2012
By Laurence Boyce

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

There are certain titles that tell you all you need to know about a film. “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is one of those films. In case you haven’t worked it out, it’s about Abraham Lincoln. And in it he hunts vampires. A quick aside for all those who aren’t brilliant at history: the film isn’t based on historical fact.

After losing his mother to – what ultimately transpires to be – a vampire attack, Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) is approached by the mysterious Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper) who offers him the life of a vampire hunter. Lincoln takess on his new role with glee, but soon tires and decides to take up politics (where all the real bloodsuckers lay – that’s enough satire for now). But when it transpires that his plan to abolish slavery will cause a vampire revolt, Lincoln must sharpen the stakes and polish the silver for a bloody war.

If you go to see a film called ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’ you deserve everything you get. It’s all technically well done, with slow motion fight scenes and balletic decapitations galore. It’s all very impressive but it does get a bit samey after a while, unless you’re the most ardent horror fan. The cast are doing their best in what is ultimately a profoundly silly film and it does rattle along at a fast pace. However, considering the issues of slavery and the real horror of the American Civil War, it also flirts dangerously close to being in very bad taste.

Like I said: it’s called “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.” If you’re expecting a dissection of US politics, then you’re clearly not paying attention.

Also Showing
“Dredd” – The British comic book character comes to life (after a terrible Stallone version years ago) in a surprisingly gritty and violent film.
“To Rome With Love” – Woody Allen’s latest film with the usual array of stars walking around talking about relationships and wondering why they can’t be in his earlier, funnier movies.
“Bachelorette” – Kirsten Dunst does her thing in a film that tries to be like “Bridesmaids.”

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