I like Dario Argento as a rule, but this movie is weak both as compared to the rest of his work and as compared to the many adaptations of Stoker's novel. Thomas Kretschmann is woefully miscast in the title role, a bland vampire who never conveys much foreboding. Some of the CG goes far off the mark, the worst of which is a giant praying mantis that's so garishly fake that it's hard to believe the director could have approved it.
That said, most of the cast is good. They don't have a lot to work with, though. Disappointingly mediocre overall, especially coming from Argento.
That said, most of the cast is good. They don't have a lot to work with, though. Disappointingly mediocre overall, especially coming from Argento.