Apparently, when Honest Abe (Benjamin Walker) wasn't busy emancipating slaves and drafting constitutions, he was busy moonlighting as a vampire hunter. This vendetta against bloodsuckers originates in the President's youth. when his mother (Robin McLeavy) was killed by vampiric plantation owner Jack Barts (Marton Csokas). A vengeful Lincoln gets tutored in the arts of vampire decapitation by full time vampire hunter Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper), and, as he climbs the political ladder, crosses paths with Adam (Rufus Sewell), the leader of the vampires.

The premise may sound interesting enough, but unfortunately, director Timur Bekmambetov can't seem to decide if he wants to pull out all the stops in this over-the-top endeavour, or add some sobriety to the proceedings. The film makes for some excellent looking stills, but the overall result is a murky pastiche of flatly choreographed fight scenes, and a stuffy tone that doesn't jibe with the film's decidedly campy premise.

To make matters worse, Seth Graham-Smith - who penned the original novel - has created a herky-jerky Frankenstein of a plot that undermines what could have been an outrageously imaginative premise. Benjamin Walker performs admirably as the older Lincoln, but fails to engage with voters in the first half of the movie, as he vacillates between petulant youth and aspiring president.

For those of you who're able to endure flat action scenes and disjointed plot developments just to watch the 16th POTUS cleave some vampiric skulls, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter may be a worthwhile investment of time. But for those who need some life in our vampire-slaying, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter will prove to be a tedious disappointment.

Summary: Veto this vampire flick.
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Opens 5 July 2012
Rated NC16: Violence and Some Gore