is exactly what it says it is—the 16th President of the United States hunts down and kills vampires. And it takes itself seriously. The film, based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, is over directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch, Day Watch and Wanted), but sports a fine central performance by Benjamin Walker as Abe, and some effective Louisiana filming locations photographed by the great Caleb Deschanel (The Right Stuff, Fly Away Home). The story has young Mr. Lincoln vowing to avenge the death of his mother at the hands of bloodsuckers. Lincoln finds a mentor in Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper) and a formidable foe in head vampire Adam (Rufus Sewell). The movie plays like a "greatest hits" collection, going from one action scene to another without much chance for the story to breathe. Eventually it all drowns in special effects and the way over-the-top comic book inspired fight scenes. More realistic style action would have worked a lot better, and would have infused the movie with some much needed tension. Still, as minor entertainment, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter doesn't quite suck. Apologies for the pun.
