Today’s quick review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. To avenge the murder of his mother at the hands of a vampire, Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) trains with vampire hunter Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper), who teaches him to harness his desire for vengeance. Armed with his trusty axe, Lincoln goes hunting for Adam (Rufus Sewell), the vampires’ leader. But Lincoln soon realizes that to win his fight, he will need the help of America itself.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is an action horror movie based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith. The movie reveals a hidden side to Lincoln’s life as a lawyer, a politician, and a husband: his lifelong quest to rid America of an enormous vampire infestation. The pivotal events of Lincoln’s life serve as the backdrop to his skirmishes with Adam’s forces. The result is a schlocky but enjoyable watch that does some creative things with its premise.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter promises action, and it delivers. The fights pit Abraham Lincoln’s silver axe against the vampires’ strength, speed, and fangs. The action scenes make liberal use of CGI, slowdown, and swooping camera angles, with a couple of inventive set pieces as well. The action can feel a little repetitive, given that axe versus vampire is the film’s main matchup, but there’s enough style to the combat to satisfy action fans.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter does have some room for improvement. The semi-biographical nature of the plot leads to odd pacing for an action movie, skipping years of Lincoln’s life to catch the events that are historically relevant. Benjamin Walker is a mixed bag as Lincoln, faring well enough but never truly shining. And while the movie does have its absurdities, it plays its premise with a straighter face than some viewers may be expecting.
None of these flaws are enough to keep Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter from accomplishing what it sets out to do. Solid craftsmanship, enjoyable action, and some clever uses of its historical setting make the movie a worthwhile pick for anyone interested in its premise. The one catch is that viewers hoping for a more overtly comedic tone may not get exactly what they want. Fans of realistic action or grounded drama should steer clear.
For a schlockier action horror movie with a similar premise and more comedy, try Van Helsing or Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. For action fantasy that dabbles with a historical setting in similar ways, try The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Jonah Hex. For a battle with vampires in a modern setting, try Blade or Underworld.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a novel premise and solid action, with a few flaws that keep it from greater heights.