De’Andre Scott
Circulation Editor
“Dracula: Untold” tells the origin story of Dracula, king of vampires. It’s a fast- paced adaptation of Bram Stoker’s gothic, horror novel “Dracula.”
On Oct.1, Universal Studios announced “Dracula Untold” will be the first in the Universal Monsters’ planned franchise.
The film follows Prince Vlad “The Impaler” Tepes III (Luke Evans, “Clash of the Titans”) as the flawed hero in a tragic love story. Prince Vlad’s peaceful way of life is threatened by Sultan Mehmed II, who demands that Tepes give up the children, so as to gain a thousand soldiers for his army.
In order to save his son’s life, Tepes must go on a journey where he becomes the mythological vampire Dracula.
The film begins with a narrative of Dracula’s son recounting the legend of Prince Vlad and with Tepes and his men discovering a cave with an ancient demon, once known as Caligula. After Tepes barely escapes with his life, he goes to back to his kingdom to learn of the legend. Later that day Mehmed comes and demands for all young boys to become his soldiers, but when Tepes refuses the sultan, he then demands his son.
Now Tepes must travel back to the cave to search for a way to defend his son and his kingdom from the sultan. Once he officially meets Caligula, he tells the demon he must become stronger and that “Men don’t fear swords; they fear monsters.”
After Caligula agrees, he then tells Tepes that his power will last for three days and that if he can resist the thirst for blood, he shall return to normal, but if he can’t he shall become Caligula’s slave. Tepes accepts the risk. Now he must go and defend his kingdom, and he’s determined to do it in just three days.
“Dracula: Untold” is a interesting and intricate movie. Viewers who like movies about vampires, Dracula, legends and modern retellings of origins, then “Dracula: Untold” is the movie to see. It received a 5.9 out 10 on IMDb.com.
It’s directed by first time director Gary Shore and produced by Michael De Luca, who helped produce 2010s “The Social Network.”
Sarah Gadon plays Tepes’ wife, Mirena, Dominic Cooper plays Mehmed II, and Samantha Barks plays Baba Yaga.
“Dracula: Untold” premiered on Oct. 10, with a budget of $100 million, and “Dracula: Untold” made $86,057,000 at box office opening weekend.
Its running time is 92 minutes, and it’s rated PG-13.
