Dracula

i honestly adored this movie. however the director, luc besson, should’ve never been allowed to release any more movies, and at the very least been blacklisted for marrying a 15 year old??? how is that legal???? this movie deserves to be separated from his affiliation, and cherished as such; roughly like how we listen to kanye and watch woody allen films, where we appreciate their art but don’t contribute to their wealth. i’m so glad i didn’t see it in theatres (hint hint nudge nudge)  in saying that, the relationship between dracula and elizabeth (or mina) was imbued with such rich depth, engaging storytelling and a convincing romance. the decision to warp dracula’s faces where mina is recollecting elizabeth’s memory’s were SUBERB. i absolutely loved them the best. i just wish there could’ve been more between the moment where elizabeth is actualised to when they arrive in the castle.  christopher waltz leads with a witty performance too, where even at the end where he implores dracula to die for salvation from god (much to the dismay of elizabeth)  you can’t help but consider his reasoning too. like the rest of the supporting cast, his role was proportionate and not too heavy in the narrative.  i stand by thinking that this jonathan was my absolute FAVOURITE. he was sweet, his accent not overt, and the acting of his injuries was perfect.    religious imagery and symbolism felt too potent throughout — god being mentioned in practically every breath, the scene of dracula feeding on the nuns, etc — but i understand it’s importance as it’s a retelling of dracula.  story itself had great pacing, but the ending felt too rushed and the conviction of dracula dying was too insignificant for his death to be properly executed. i wish there was more time to let it breathe.  overall, luc besson SUCKS, the romance and story was it’s defining feature, and i wished they had more time to properly articulate character depth and conviction.