rdatsun

Honestly there isn't really much I can say about this one. Really if you've seen the '94 version, you're not missing anything with this one. Yes on a technical level, the movie is impressive, the CGI looks wonderfully realistic and a great improvement of the software. Looking forward to when they use it for more original properties in the future. But while a marvel, being more realistic means you get all the realisim of the animals on screen, namely no way to really show emotion to them. Yes their voice actors do a find enough job (Surprised that the new VAs of Timon and Pumba manage to be on par with the originals really and nice hearing James again as Mufasa though it's obvious he's aged since the original) and body movement tries it's best to showcase what the characters are feeling. But, won't lie, it just loses that magic to help convey the story. Were essentially just watching real wildlife act out "The Lion King", that's pretty much it. Likewise not a fan of some the shortening on some scenes such as the "Be Prepared" song (Seriously, you take the risk in 94 but are suddenly scared to do it in the new '10s because Nazi similarity? Wha?) . It just all feels watered down.

Not saying those who want a new take or haven't seen the '94 version yet won't enjoy it. If you do, more power to ya, I honestly hope you do. Different strokes for different folks and all. But if this is indeed the case for the latter, please watch '94 version later to see what I mean and make the decision yourself which is better. Overall though, for me, this film is just a painfully average curiosity at best.

If its one thing I know its vampires. And this film hits all the mark for me, it just a shame it not as well know in the world of horror cinema out there but hey it happens. Still famous or no, It been my pleasure to happen upon Count Yorga and even moreso to see it in its entirety after purchasing it from a Best Buy along with its sequel "Return of Count Yorga".

Premise: The film opens with a coffin being transported to Los Angeles with a sinister atmosphere around it. We then go to a séance where a group of people are trying to contact a recently deceased mother of one of their own, Donna, hosted by Yorga himself. He seem normal enough, charming and polite to a fault. However we quickly find out otherwise when he attacks two of the party guests when their car "conveniently" break down outside his manor. From there it only proceed to get worse for the humans as the girl of the couple, Erica, show strange symptoms and bite marks on her neck and the males of the group start to suspect their something not right about Yorga. But can they figure it out before Yorga strikes again? Plot-wise, it very simple and to the point. Like a modern day Dracula, only the characters, good or bad, are much more genre savvy about what going on and what to do. Though that said, when you see the "heroes" of the story you can pretty much predict the outcome for them. Is that a bad thing? Heck no. Its a horror flick after all and that half the fun. This is Yorga's movie anyway and Robert Quary give a great performance as the title vampire. Sly, slick and menacing all at once. This is a guy you just love to root for even if he is the bad guy.

And of course every vampire needs victims and the vamps (i.e. woman) here are just as excellent. They have sort of a zombie vibe to them sans the decaying flesh part, yet that makes them more attractive (if your into that sorta thing). What adds a extra point for me is that they wisely give the female vamp just as much screen time as Yorga, so you get to see them in all their undead glory.

There is a bit of fanservice (breasts showing, partial nudity) as this was mean as a soft core porno flick. But nothing overly gratuitous (one scene that might rise eyebrows is when Yorga has two vamps um...cuddle). Same goes for gore, there a little of it but it very cheap looking. So nothing those easily offended or too squeamish should raise a fuss over.

Overall, the horror is pretty dated and you can tell it was used as a drive-in flick (the trailer even looks as such). But if your a fan of vampire films, this is one you don't want to pass up for your collection. Rest in Peace Robert Quarry (who died in 2009), thanks for entertaining us.