Now that i've watched Lincoln The Vampire Hunter

[LincolnMan]

Now that I've seen the movie (on DVD), I have a few comments to make (that are purely my personal opinion).

First of all, I enjoyed the movie! How was I able to do that?

Here's what I did-I approached the movie as a vampire movie set in Lincoln's era. Yes, the movie features Lincoln-I think that the writer/film-maker had the same approach-it is a movie about vampires couched with Lincoln, other historical figures, and the era as the setting.

In taking this approach, the historical inaccuracies (are there are a ton of them)-really don't mean much-if anything at all. You realize the film is not trying to be historically accurate. What results for the viewer is that it becomes fun to see how the film portrays the various characters. For instance, Mary Todd (in the movie) is quite attractive. I wondered to myself, was she really that attractive? And the actor portraying Lincoln is quite good. He displays Lincoln as serious, fun (when he needs to be), and awkward but a steadily maturing man that he eventually did become.

Secondly: if you're not into vampire flicks-don't bother with seeing it. There is a lot of blood and neck-biting. There is a lot of violence, period. If the vampire genre is your thing, then you will probably enjoy the movie. The special-effects are quite well-done. The vampires display great powers that are shown effectively. At times, Lincoln makes moves a la "The Matrix" style- leaping from the back of a running horse unto the back of another running horse. He also does the running up the wall thing that was so featured in the Matrix. His moves with the ax are a sight to behold too!

Thirdly: the costumes and period sets are great! Somebody did some homework on this-and got it right overall.

Fourthly: the movie has Lincoln as the hero-can't be all bad!

Lastly: understand the audience that the movie was made for-primarily those who don't know much about Lincoln-but know enough about him to make the twist of the movie (that it features Lincoln)-enjoyable.

So for us who know more than the casual person on the street about Lincoln and the era (gee, you think it might be the Lincoln Discussion Symposium members?), my advice (if you are going to watch it) is: pick an evening to see it, make a big bowl of popcorn and have the beverage of your choice handy, sit in your favorite place, and forget what you know about the history of Lincoln and the era. Good grief folks, chill out and enjoy the vampires-and watch Abe destroy them with skill, determination, and passion. The movie is not going to win any Oscars or anything, but it is fun.

[Rob Wick]

Bill,

I would agree with you to a point. No one in the Lincoln community obviously takes it seriously, and most people who watched it did so for the fun of it. I guess what irks me is that unless a Spielberg directs a movie about Lincoln, dross like this would win out in the box office. If Joe Doakes directed the upcoming movie, and it starred John Doe, it wouldn't be getting the publicity it is. Of course, that's the way of the world, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

I agree with that Rob...

One thing I forgot to mention-the movie debuted on the navy aircraft-carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln-for the sailors serving on it in the Middle-East.

[LincolnMan]

Tim Burton talks about the movie here: http://video.answers.com/tim-burton-talk...-517401592

[LincolnMan]

I still get positive comments from people who have seen this movie. Some are just now seeing it for the first time.

[brtmchl]

I have not seen the movie. but I did read the book. I thought it was a fun read. The author interweaved historical facts quite well into the story even if he did reach a bit. I have heard that the ending of the movie is not as good as the book. It's a shame because the Booth angle added to the fun of it.

[LincolnMan]

What people tell me is that they love that the story involves Lincoln and his era. They also tell me the special effects were well done. I agree.