Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Timur Bekmambetov - Movie Review Example

Movie Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Timur Bekmambetov is based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, which offers a vivid description of the untold story and secret life of the 16th president of America, Lincoln Benjamin Walker from his days as a boy to his presidency, which apparently shaped America as a nation. It often construed that many movie adaptions do not necessarily do justice to the well-written books that they are based on; however, in the case of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Timur Bekmambetov, it does quite well. The narrative of the movie takes the form of secret journal entries, in which Lincoln as a young boy reports witnessing the death of his mother at the hands a plantation owner who he claims was vampiric. As a result, he swears vengeance; and with the guidance and help of another hunter, Henry Sturgess, a role played by Dominic Cooper, Lincoln starts a life-long mission to find and destroy all the vampires lurking amongst humans, and they hold on the mortal society. After several years, Lincoln’s attraction towards politics, mostly fuelled and motivated by his belief that he had the opportunity and ability to make a difference in the mankind war, not as an assassin, but as a leader. We also witness Lincoln’s election, we see him signing the Emancipation Proclamation, and the outburst of the American Civil War. In addition, we also get to see how these abrupt changes in his life affect the vampires, the interests they have in maintaining the status quo, especially of lawful slavery-with a lot of slaves to offer food with the fear of reprisal as well as the temporal power that the use of slave labor, and immortality bring; the pre-abolition political climate is ideal for them. This apparent conflict of interest, both inhuman and human, set the movie up for an explosive showdown between the protagonist Lincoln, and the antagonist, the perceived father of the vampires of North America, Adam (Rufus Sewell). Vampires are considered monstrous, strong, savage, fast, and capable of being invisible; this is made possible as a result of the design cues that the director, Bekmambetov has used in his previous vampire flicks such as in the Day Watch, and Night Watch. As scheming and faceless antagonists meant to push the movies hero to the limit, they do very well in that regard. They can also be considered as a metaphor for the inhumane nature of those that support and root for slavery; however, such ideal concepts lose their effect in a movie such as these where in-your-face action and comic-book violence are portrayed and dialed up to the maximum. Perhaps, it is better if the racially and politically backstory could be more pronounced, and considered as convenient; especially, the evocative backdrop on which the story about monstrous vampires and a hero vampire hunter has been hung, instead of trying to view it as anything more thought provoking and rather deeper. Lincoln had a chance to kill the vampire that apparently killed his mother, but he fails and almost loses his life. However, he is saved by another veteran vampire hunter, Henry Sturgess, who was somewhat mysterious, and got to mentor him about hunting, slaying, as well as fighting vampires. As he learnt the skills of vampire hunting with his new found friend, Henry, he also got to realize that there was a connection between slave trade and the vampires. Abraham Lincoln progressed in his political endeavors and soon became the 16th President of America; these made him to start fighting the civil war; fight against slavery as well. While people were fighting for the rights of human, vampires were busy taking the life out of the nation. President Lincoln was busy fighting two wars, the war against the vampires, and the war against slavery-civil war with the aim of getting back the soul of America, while the Congress was busy debating a number of essential national issues. Apparently, he must defeat Adam, the apparent vampire leader who guides other vampires to consume the entire nation. The film also features, though in a somewhat light and different manner, as opposed to history, are the important people in Lincoln’s life. For instance, the movie features one of Lincoln’s close friend and colleague, Joshua Speed, played by Jimmi Simpson, his friend and apparent advisor who doubled up as an African American valet, Will Johnson played by Anthony Mackie; and his wife Mary Todd, a role played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Abraham Lincoln’s greatest emissary, Stephen Douglas is also feature in the film, and performs exemplary well in his role. The author of the book from which this film is adapted from, Seth Grahame-Smith, addresses both side of the argument, particularly the authors pop/historical culture mash-ups, which began with the Prejudice, Pride, and Zombies, can be said to represent a shining beacon of our times. Whether it in some way denigrates American forefathers and historical texts, or whether it rejuvenates several significant narratives for a generation adept on aesthetics and sensationalism of narratives; the apparent absurdity has more the meets the eye. The same, however, cannot be said about the hit movie Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, adapted from the sophomore novel by Grahame-Smith. This film, apparently takes a very different and somewhat dreadful serious approach, while it injects a vampirism myth into the life America’s 16th President. Abraham Lincoln is considered as an abolitionist; however, his battle in this film is more intense given that he fights against the vampires that are devouring humans with no limits; a laughable, unintentional metaphor for slavery. As asserted by the director Timur Bekmambetov, the quotidian formalities of the real life of Abraham Lincoln are much less appealing and intriguing that his occasional flirtations with slow-motion and incoherent ass-kicking in an aesthetic hybrid Zach Snyder and Michael Bay. Despite the fact that his indifferent sensibilities work in a bleached-out, tacky capacity through the implicit camp value, the film’s overall seriousness makes it somewhat laughable. Despite the fact that the screenwriter Grahame-Smith glosses over large chunks of the life of Abraham Lincoln, the material and the vampire modification are considered as legitimate and profound. The history that is presented in the film is accurate; the performance, although uneven, reach for well-thought-of film prestige. This film has been considered as to be challenging or in some way misrepresenting some historical facts; however, it does a very good job in putting amusing antics and good diversion that leads viewers to deeply marvel into the life of American 16th President Abraham Lincoln. No wonder, after watching this film, it is reported that a lot of viewers lined-up to purchase biographical books on this prominent man; Abraham Lincoln. The clothing and the settings in the film give a good sense of the color and tone that adds a relish and authenticity of historical facts. Lincoln has a charismatic beauty that blends well with that of Winstead, his partner. Their great rapport and chemistry, as witnessed in the film, creates great image of a loving wife and a tough husband. The blend of slow- and fast-moving frame sequences sum up the film’s action-packed thriller. This film, as a matter of fact, had to live up to its title. No one would miss the 16th president of America at his best fighting and slaying vampires. The film’s best scenes are whenever Lincoln wielded his silver-tipped axe with deftness, strength and precision to slay the vampires. The fight scenes can somewhat be compared to the great and the best action-packed thrillers such as “the Matrix” with slow motion battle and the long coats; except for the fact that it had sequences of wild horses’ stampeded and speeding trains, aspects that are fairly refreshing to the taste and liking of the viewers. This film is in its entirety fictional given that it endeavors to leave the viewers with perplexity and confusion, not insult or offense. In addition, it adds some sense of humor which is not bad. The director, Timur Bekmambetov does a superb job of giving Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President a gothic and a dark character, while at the same time, showing the viewers the kind of charm that they are familiar with. The film was cleverly created and directed, and used in-depth picture frame that is not only colorful, but also imaginative, almost as described in sophomore novel by Grahame-Smith. Works Cited Bekmambetov, Timur. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. 2012. Film. Read More