'Dracula Untold' review: Bloody, bland, but not all bad

Luke Evans stars as Vlad in "Dracula Untold," the origin... — Luke Evans stars as Vlad in "Dracula Untold," the origin story of the man who became Dracula. Credit: Universal Studios / Jasin Boland

By TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICEOctober 9, 2014

So it wasn't the rains that kept the Turks from getting their cannons to Vienna, seizing the city and ending Western civilization around the turn of the 16th century. It was Prince Vlad, hero of the Transylvanians, a misunderstood warrior with fangs and a taste for Turkish Type O.

That's the premise of "Dracula Untold," a vampire tale that attempts an origin story for "Vlad the Impaler" from his days in service to the Turkish sultan. That's when the hostage warrior learned to stick his enemies on a spike.

"Untold" picks up the story after the prince (Luke Evans) has returned home to rule Transylvania, paying tribute to the Turks to keep the peace. All he wants is to sleep with his comely wife (Sarah Gadon) and raise his wimpy kid (Art Parkinson). Then the sultan (Dominic Cooper) ups the tribute. Not just silver coins, but boy hostages to turn into Turkish troops. And not just boys, but Vlad's son.

"What ees one son," the Turk purrs. "Eef you are VIRile, you will make plenty more." That sends Vlad into the bat cave on Broken Tooth Mountain, where he makes a deal with the devil, or Satan's nearest proxy.

Charles Dance is the Nosferatu-garbed monster in the cave, a balding, toothy villain in the great tradition of British vampires. When he shows up, the movie gets interesting.

"Dracula Untold" is a straight two-genre picture (vampires, sword and sorcery), well-mounted, with whirlwinds of bats and gloomy, moon-clouded nights. In a nice touch by director Gary Shore, some battle sequences are viewed on the reflection of a shiny sword blade. The action scenes are otherwise a blur of singing swords and blood spray. Evans, a bit bland, at least wears the cape well.

"Untold" might have been better left untold, but overall it's not a bad genre film.

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What makes it watchable is the self-aware humor, the moment a Vlad punches a rock, sees it crumble and mutters, "THAT'S useful." And Western civilization is saved, the Enlightenment ensured and the way paved for Bram Stoker to make this notorious prince, whose dungeon was just discovered last month, immortal -- thanks to some fictional dental touches.

PLOT There's plenty at stake for Prince Vlad, aka Vlad the Impaler, when he makes a deal with the devil.

RATING PG-13 (intense sequences of warfare, vampire attacks, disturbing images, some sensuality)

CAST Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Charles Dance