Poliziotto superpiù (1980)

It's OK, but it's been done better.
Francis Ford Coppola can make good movies. This, unfortunately isn't one of them. It's got some things about it that are amazing, some things I love, but it's also got lot's of unintended comedy and jarring, goofy moments that make you cringe- not with fear, but with disbelief.

First I'll fire off some things I like about it. It's got great music, for starters, that definetly fits the tone of a more serious Dracula movie. Most of the sets are outstanding, and some of the actors do really great jobs. As far as the narrative goes, they stick closer to the novel as any Dracula movie has yet.

The film starts off very promising, with eerie narration and a little background on Dracula, which for me was one of the most striking scenes. Unfortunately, we soon move to a terribly miscast Keanu Reeves narrating in an unconvincing British accent. And then we see the aged Dracula...with a red Halloween-costume satin robe on and white beehive hairdo. At this point I was giggling and going umm...What;s going on with that?

Some problems occur when you update this story and try to add elements from Anne Rice and 80's slasher movies. Dracula and all things vampiric become overtly sexual- something that was more hinted at for sharper readers of the novel- and Dracula turns from monster to Romantic Anti-hero. Mina Harker basically becomes the 'final girl' in this story- the lone heroine who survives and kills the stalker. It might have worked if the acting had been less cheesy, the nudity less gratuitous, and less bloody ( you may say "it's a vampire movie, it's supposed to have blood"...you can have too much.).

Of particular mention is Sadie Frost, who, as Lucy, spends roughly 80% of her screen time moaning, topless, or some combination of the two. It's one of those things that you'll be watching, trying to stay serious and you're like...Huh...huhuh...Hey Beavis, check it out.

Also, Tom Waits as Renfield. No thank you. I'll gladly listen to your music. Just stop eating flies.

And some of Dracula's transformations are ridiculous to look at...Think Sci-Fi Channel original movie quality.

Finally, my biggest problem with the movie is that Gary Oldman just doesn't make a very iconic Dracula. I mean with Christopher Lee and Bela Lugosi, both actors had long reaching influence in defining our perceptions of what Dracula is. Gary Oldman, though a great actor ( and getting great roles, lately), doesn't really dominate like his predecessors did. He's just there. He's doesn't steal scenes, which, as Dracula, is his right. Also, I hate his sunglasses and Top Hat. Dracula is supposed to be menacing, not a member of Guns & Roses.

Simply Magnificent
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a legend. In 1992 a new movie based on the story of Bram Stoker arrived. I wanted to bad to watch it on the movies but I was too young to be allowed to do it. That movie became my most beloved movie of all time. I purchased this one on any available format, but even on DVD, something was missing. There were no bonus materials, no deleted scenes, no making of, nothing. 15 years passed and all my hopes were almost lost. But the Collector's Edition came, and it was everything I could ask for. Splendid material. This time, the "Collector's Edition" is true; not just a cheap marketing cheat, like so many times.
Besides, on Blu-ray format you have everything in one disc instead of the two disc set of the DVD format.
This is the ultimate Bram Stoker's Dracula edition and an absolute must have.

Absolutely Fantastic
I am in awe from watching this spectacular film. From the opening scene, I was hooked. The music is some of the best I have ever heard in film. Gary Oldman gives the performance of the year as Dracula. The costumes and colors are incredible. And the special effects, well, they are to be seen, to be believed. Highly recommended.