I saw this movie last weekend.
I loved it.
It portrays good and evil. Christian vs. Muslim scum.
It of course takes a vampire bent, but used it to show right and wrong.
My opinion is the Christian aspect of it and the portraying of good and evil is the reason the critics are rating this movie low.
It is a beautiful movie. Good script, great costumes, good acting......worth seeing.
btw Tolkien was “inspired” by the muslim attacks on Europe when he depicted Mordor, Sauron and the orcs.
I took a look at the movie trailer, and it looks pretty good, much as you describe it. But Rotten Tomatoes hates it. Looks like they can’t deal with any version of Dracula but the Bram Stoker variety: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dracula_untold/
Filmed in Northern Ireland like Game of Thrones. It has the cloudy misty look.
That's good to know but from the trailer it looks like he makes a deal with the devil for his powers. How does the movie turn that into a Christian value? Does he turn away from the devil in the end?