Beth Fish Reads: Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (the Movie)

22 October 2012

Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (the Movie)

So you think the know the story of Honest Abe, rail-splitter, country lawyer, president, and orator? History, however, tends to forget the details, the true story of Lincoln's skill with an ax and the underlying war he spearheaded, not only with the South but with . . . vampires!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, starring Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, and Dominic Cooper and based on Seth Grahame-Smith's novel of the same title, tells the alternate-history, paranormal version of Lincoln's rise to power and the reason for his ultimate assassination.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was going to think about the movie, but when given the opportunity to review it, my curiosity got the better of me. I'm so glad I took the chance; the movie was both enjoyable and intense. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is less about vampires and more about big-action scenes, Lincoln, and terrific special effects.

One of the best parts of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was the way the writers wove the facts of history into the story, giving them a new slant. For example, I loved the retelling of Gettysburg and Pickett's Charge, and I'll never think of that battle in the same way again. The movie is well acted, and the settings, effects, and costumes help set the mood and boost the action.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a good choice for the Halloween season, and home viewers can pick up the DVD, BluRay, and/or 3-D versions on disc tomorrow. The special features on the discs include the following:

The Great Calamity Graphic Novel
Audio Commentary with Writer Seth Grahame-Smith
The Making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
On the Set: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
The Art of Transformation: Make-Up Effects

You'll also find commentary, a music video, and more. Grab a bowl of popcorn, turn down the lights, and get ready for a fun night of the hidden history of one of America's greatest presidents.

Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Think Jam for the review copy.

12 comments:

bermudaonion, 10/22/12, 7:31 AM: I'm glad you enjoyed this - I have a feeling it's not for me.
Harvee, 10/22/12, 7:32 AM: A fun way for vampire lovers to get their history in.
Daryl, 10/22/12, 8:43 AM: i want to see this ...

if you haven't seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, you must .. the cast is incredible and its a truly fun good movie
Anonymous, 10/22/12, 10:56 AM: I can't believe I overlooked this important part of American history back in my high school history teaching days! I'm sure the kids would've found it so much more interesting than Reconstruction.
Zibilee, 10/22/12, 2:20 PM: I really want to see this one. I think it sounds fun and really unusual. I love these mash-ups. They are wild, but they are sometimes just what you need.
Jenners, 10/22/12, 8:31 PM: I saw some previews for this and it looked kind of cool. The Abe Lincoln movie I want to see though is the one coming out with Daniel Day-Lewis as Abe.
Charlie, 10/23/12, 5:30 AM: I find the idea of these paranormal re-tellings really weird, though I suppose if they're fun it could be a good way to teach the facts to people who might not know them otherwise. This film sounds good by itself, though.
(Diane) bookchickdi, 10/23/12, 6:21 AM: I saw Benjamin Walker as Andrew Jackson on Broadway's Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson and he was marvelous, so I was looking forward to seeing him as Lincoln as well. The movie didn't get great reviews, and I am glad to read that you liked it. This does sound like a good Halloween flick.
Peppermint Ph.D., 10/23/12, 6:48 AM: I just purchased the book from a sale table so I need to read it first...then I'll decide. I was a little leery at first but some of my stalwart colleagues have read it and praise both the history and the vampire content so we'll see :)
Robin M, 10/24/12, 12:52 AM: I was going to read the book but was turned off by the author's politics. That doesn't happen very often. The movie sounds interesting. As long as it isn't too gory. Will check out all the information. Thanks.
Unknown, 10/24/12, 10:32 PM: I thought that this was a really interesting movie and a great way to present historical facts in an entertaining way. It was by no means a documentary, but you can still pick up quite a bit of historical information. I skipped this movie in theaters because it just looked ridiculous, but I decided to rent it after a coworker at DISH recommended it to me. I added it to my blockbuster @Home queue online, and it came in the mail today. The action was top notch, and as I said before there was a bit of depth thanks to the historical references. I am glad that I waited to rent it because it was a lot cheaper than seeing it in theaters, and I don’t think that this is one of those must see movies. I would recommend it for fans of the Action genre because that is the core of this movie.
Julie P., 10/28/12, 8:14 PM: I admit that I am a bit curious about this one...