“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is one of the most visually amazing supernatural films ever to be made. It is a creative masterpiece with solid performances that perhaps rivals the incredible 1931 version of “Dracula” starring Béla Lugosi.

“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” sees a law clerk by the name of Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves “The Matrix”, “Constantine”) travel to Transylvania where he meets Count Dracula (Gary Oldman “Batman Begins”). Harker is soon trapped as Dracula travels to England as he believes Harker’s fiancée (Winona Ryder “Beetlejuice”) to be the reincarnation of his dead love from centuries ago. Professor Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins “Hannibal”) is soon in pursuit of the vampire.

Gary Oldman is great as Dracula. We get to see Dracula in many forms as he begins as we see him appear as an old man, a somewhat young man, a green mist, a werewolf creature and a giant bat creature. He also climbs walls and has a shadow that moves on its own. Although I love the performance and the creativity, I still think Béla Lugosi’s Dracula is what I’ll think of when I think of the character. Despite what most people seem to say, I actually think Keanu Reeves does a very good job as Harker. Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder are terrific. I also like Tom Waits (“Fight Club”) as Renfield.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather”, “Apocalypse Now”), “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is an excellently stylish film. Some criticise it for lacking substance but I think the performances are all very good. There is an opening battle scene depicting a fight between European Christians and Turkish Muslim invaders and its mesmerising and from then onwards, we get more and more stunning sequences. If you love the Béla Lugosi “Dracula” then it is great to compare and contrast it with this film.