Dracula Untold (2014), dir. Gary Shore, Legendary Pictures/Michael de Luca Productions
Still a better superhero film than Morbius.
Seriously though, you would think Universal would have been all over the concept of a shared universe. They technically had one before Marvel Comics even existed but now they could lay everything out! So why not kick things off with the first sound horror icon?
Sometime in the 15th Century, Prince Vlad (Luke Evans) rules the land of Wallchia and Transylvania with a firm hand. He has known hardship through; as a child he was traded to the court of the Ottoman Empire and learned to fight under the cruel hands of the Turks. He has left his life of violence behind, despite more than earning his title of 'Vlad the Impaler'. He simply wants to rule his country with his beloved wife Mirena (Sarah Gadon) and his son Ingreas (Art Pakinson).
So when evidence is present to him of a possible invasion by said Ottomans, well, Vlad is a bit nervous. Taking troops up into the mountains, something slaughters them all save Vlad. The ruler barely manages to escape and demands answers from Brother Lucien (Paul Kaye). Lucien delivers a cold verdict-what attacked Vlad and his men was nothing less than a vampire!
Said vampire (Charles Dance), who has lived in the mountain since days of the Roman Empire, was a man cursed by a demon to have tremendous power yet an insatiable thirst for blood. Seeing the power first hand, Vlad figures he couldn't be any worse off dealing with a demon so up he treks into the mountains to strike a deal.
The vampire is amused and agrees, but, he warns, there are some conditions. He'll give Vlad his strength and power and he can be returned to normal. All he has to do avoid drinking blood for three days and he'll be right as rain. Drink so much as a drop, however, and not only will he be damned as a monster forever, but he'll also break the seal that keeps the vampire caged within the mountain.
Seeing no other option, Vlad agrees...
Not terrible? I mean, they do go a bit overboard in making Vlad a sympathetic character plus Vlad was a real person, so the idea of making him a romantic figure always struck me as being in poor taste. Another problem might be the set up, it plays like they are trying get as many set pieces ready to go as possible, assuming there not only will be a sequel but a whole universe to play with.
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