* Some mild spoilers ahead *
There has been no shortage of modern vampire stories lately, but surprisingly - at least to my knowledge - a modern day version of the ONE vampire story (in more than just the name) has not been among them. Although Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' is one of the most famous and influential novels in English literature of the Victorian era, it took Mexican producer/director Guillermo Del Toro to finally attempt an update (or rather an "expansion" on the theme) for a modern audience of this beautiful, Gothic tale.
It's probably meant more as an homage than a retelling (I haven't read Del Toro's novel 'The Strain' upon which this show is apparently based), but judging by what I've seen so far, there are many elements in the show's storyline (at least during the first episode) that remain surprisingly faithful to Stoker's novel, and at the beginning there's even the modern equivalent of the doomed ship 'Demeter'.
Del Toro cleverly plays with the expectations of those who have read 'Dracula', and knowing the story doesn't really spoil anything. Quite on the contrary: it's even more fun to watch this show and suddenly recognize nearly exact lines from the Victorian novel, but spoken to a member of some Latino drug gang (who answers the elegant words with the very modern "F*** You!" and "S*** my D***!").
The production values are - as was to be expected when the director of 'Hellboy' and 'Pacific Rim' is involved - pretty good. The visual effects and the make-up are quite OK also, but they do leave room for improvement. Alas, the writing and the acting leave a lot to be desired which was very unexpected in this day and age of great Television shows - especially when someone like Del Toro serves as a producer. Still, overall I'd say there's yet hope for this new show (IF the writing gets better). My vote so far: 6 stars out of 10.
***UPDATE***: I've stopped watching after the 4th. episode - it still puzzles me how so many talented people couldn't come up with better writing. What a missed opportunity.
Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054200841/
Favorite Low-Budget and B-movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/
Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/
Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/
There has been no shortage of modern vampire stories lately, but surprisingly - at least to my knowledge - a modern day version of the ONE vampire story (in more than just the name) has not been among them. Although Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' is one of the most famous and influential novels in English literature of the Victorian era, it took Mexican producer/director Guillermo Del Toro to finally attempt an update (or rather an "expansion" on the theme) for a modern audience of this beautiful, Gothic tale.
It's probably meant more as an homage than a retelling (I haven't read Del Toro's novel 'The Strain' upon which this show is apparently based), but judging by what I've seen so far, there are many elements in the show's storyline (at least during the first episode) that remain surprisingly faithful to Stoker's novel, and at the beginning there's even the modern equivalent of the doomed ship 'Demeter'.
Del Toro cleverly plays with the expectations of those who have read 'Dracula', and knowing the story doesn't really spoil anything. Quite on the contrary: it's even more fun to watch this show and suddenly recognize nearly exact lines from the Victorian novel, but spoken to a member of some Latino drug gang (who answers the elegant words with the very modern "F*** You!" and "S*** my D***!").
The production values are - as was to be expected when the director of 'Hellboy' and 'Pacific Rim' is involved - pretty good. The visual effects and the make-up are quite OK also, but they do leave room for improvement. Alas, the writing and the acting leave a lot to be desired which was very unexpected in this day and age of great Television shows - especially when someone like Del Toro serves as a producer. Still, overall I'd say there's yet hope for this new show (IF the writing gets better). My vote so far: 6 stars out of 10.
***UPDATE***: I've stopped watching after the 4th. episode - it still puzzles me how so many talented people couldn't come up with better writing. What a missed opportunity.
Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054200841/
Favorite Low-Budget and B-movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/
Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/
Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/