By Nolan Patrick Smith
Hawaiiahe.com
(Honolulu)– Four score and death! That’s the line I imagined in my head the day I first saw a movie poster for the newest action flick, Abraham Lincoln-Vampire Hunter. Taking the famous 16thPresident of the United States and turning him into an axe wielding hunter of the damned, Abraham Lincoln-Vampire Hunter had its critics before it even it the theaters. Now that it’s out, did it make the cut?
Russian-Kazakh Director Timur Bekmambetov, of Wanted and Night Watch fame, brings the cult favorite book to life on the big screen, and in a big way. Based on the 2010 novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, the story is a twist on one of America’s most beloved Presidents. Without giving any plot points away, I will say the story follows Abraham (Benjamin Walker) through the various stages in his life, and when the evil of vampires made it’s self known to the tall man with the axe. A motley crew of friends guides him throughout this journey; from his vampire-killing mentor Henry (Dominic Cooper) to his good friend Will (Anthony Mackie), the support characters really do add to the tale.
But honestly, lets go ahead and talk about what’s important. After all, this is called Abraham Lincoln-Vampire Hunter, so how is the gore factor? Amazingly well done. I will go ahead and say that when it comes to a film like this, it is the action and violence that is the real bread and butter that the audience paid to see. With this film, trust me, they get what they want. The vampire hunting is amped up all the way, making the action scenes pop with “oh wow” moments. It needs to be said that this is rated R for a reason, and it earns it the rating a few times over
When it comes to the story, the story of it all was good, but lets be honest, this is a movie about Abe Lincoln killing blood suckers, so the story comes in second. You really have to go in and only hope for a great action flick, because if you do, like I did, you will walk out very pleased with how well Honest Abe has held up through the years. With the 4th of July coming, what better way to celebrate our independence than to share it with a blood-splattering President?