Who throws a horse?

Apparently vampires do.

Last night I had the stupendous privilage of seeing Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and I know many people out there would like to believe that it is simply ridiculous. But the reality is it is ridiculously awesome.

I don’t think I have to do much of an explaination about the plot of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter here in known as AL:VH. It follows the life of the USA’s 16 president and some might say it’s greatest. The only difference between this movie and a history class is the presence of vampires. Brutal, blood thirsty, enslaving vampires. Without the vampires this could easily have been a historic biographical film about Honest Abe.

The movie goes through all the important moments in his life: from the death of his mother at a young age, his life working at a general store, meeting his wife Mary Todd, how he got into politics, the death of his son, and his famed Gettysburg address. AL:VH just supposes what if these moments in his life were forced upon him due to the presence of these supernatural beings? Gaps in his life are filled with axe wielding awesomeness.

You would think that the combination of a historical dramatization fused with these utterly fantastic (used in the classical sense) elements would simply not work. But the way the movie is balanced and presented – serious enough so you can accept its premise but fun enough knowing what it is – it is simply enjoyable.

The film has a cast whose names you may not know but faces you will recognize such as Anthony Mackie (Hurt Locker), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim), Rufus Sewell (a lot of things), Jimmi Simpson (a lot of things), Alan Tudyk (Firefly). Benjamin Walker as the axe wielding president was the only main actor that I did not recognize in any capacity. He did a great job though especially as they transformed him from young to old in the film. Actually, they all did a great job with their roles.

The action was flat out awesome and just over the top enough for you to get a total kick out of it with out any scoffing. Well there was the unbelievable throwing of the horse but in the midst of the film it in sighted joyful laughter instead of eye-rolling disbelief. The fight scenes were great with the only thing between Abe and vicious vampire was his silver edged axe which he knew how to use. The scenes were bloody and brutal.

I’m not sure what else to say about this movie, AL:VH is just fun to watch. You don’t go into this to analyze its merits as a film, it is not going to win an Oscar, it is not trying to. It is simply there to entertain and that is what it does. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Tra