Let's be realistic.

Brilliant and touching

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Blistering performances.

Before Mel Brooks took on "Dracula," the story had already been parodied in "Love at First Bite" (1979) with George Hamilton, and earlier Roman Polanski lampooned Hammer's Dracula series with "Dance of the Vampires" (1967), re-titled "The Fearless Vampire Killers" in the U.S., as well as pornographic parodies, and other comedic takes from "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1958) to Andy Warhol's "Blood for Dracula" (1974). "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" doesn't fare well by comparison, nor does it against earlier Brooks films, including "Young Frankenstein" (1974).Like "Young Frankenstein," this spoof mostly imitates the story of a classic Universal monster movie. For the former, it was the first three Frankenstein films mainly; here, it's the 1931 Bela Lugosi version of "Dracula." Although it does get off a couple good digs at Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 version--making fun of the wig and the shadow with a mind of its own. And, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the ultimate dig to the 1992 movie is that the 1931 classic is mostly imitated instead. Unlike "Young Frankenstein," which was made in black and white, this one doesn't attempt a semblance of the original film's style, and, to be fair, the Frankenstein films were better looking than the stagy early-talkie "Dracula."Perhaps, most lacking in this outing is Gene Wilder, who starred in and co-wrote "Young Frankenstein." Also missing are some of the other members of the old troupe of Brooks regulars. Here, Leslie Nielsen does a faux Lugosi accent, but he mostly does his usual shtick. Peter MacNicol, as Renfield, is an amusing turn on Dwight Frye's original performance, though. Regardless, a lot of the jokes are flat and not too clever (the running gag of Seward prescribing enemas, for instance). The George Hamilton spoof had many misses, too, but it also kept the jokes coming regardless. "Dead and Loving It," however, has some stretches without any attempts at humor. The climactic fight with Dracula, for example, is dramatic for a while before Jonathan resorts to Three Stooges type violence. Finally, there's no good joke twist to the ending as there was in "Young Frankenstein," let alone the self-reflexive deconstruction at the end of "Blazing Saddles" (1974); instead, they borrow the death by sunlight part from "Nosferatu" (1922), which was neither in Bram Stoker's novel or the 1931 film, and there's nothing too funny about it.(Mirror Note: The mirror reveal in the ballroom sequence is the reverse of that in "Dance of the Vampires," which was funnier because, contrary to usual expectations, it exposed the humans' reflections rather than the vampires' lack of them.)

This is close enough to the book Dracula by Bram Stoker that ti basically is a remake. But it is a comedy. It one of the funniest movies ever made. See this movie. It is a great movie. Leslie Nielsen and Peter MacNicol are very funny in this movie. This movie has a great story line. It also has great acting. Mel Brooks is also very funny in this movie. I do not find a lot of comedy movie to be very funny. I find a lot of the time they are just nobrainers. But this one is very witty. This very close to the 1931 movie. Which is why it is one of the best satires very made. I do like the 1992 version of Dracula a little more. Just because I like really scary movie. But still this is a great comedy.

Another dodgy film title and arguably Mel Brooks last decent spoof after a long career in film led to a brief spell in the theatre as things started to wind down. In fact this was Brooks last major film in which he starred and directed.Now I must admit that when I first saw the film I didn't really like it much, the whole thing looked cheap, tacky and wasn't overly funny. But the strangest thing, like with other Brooks films, I have found myself appreciating it a lot more over the years.Like his other spoofs this has pot shots at various classic vampire films over the years but the main target is of course the Lugosi gem. Its a real blend of styles which kinda works and kinda doesn't. Naturally the film is created with an old time appearance reminiscent of the 1931 film, but at the same time it has those great cheesy cardboard cutout visuals of Hammer horrors. I personally think the film has a lot in common with 'Spaceballs' in the fact that it looks hammy but at the same time it also has some neat effects. The main negative aspect of the film in my opinion was most of the sets are obviously sets which is a bit off putting I can't deny and there is a distinct lack of scenic spooky landscapes or creepy castles which is a real shame. I realise the film is suppose to be low rent as it were but all Dracula flicks need some nice eerie real locations and spooky castles. Despite that there are some nice touches here and there, the low budget bat transformations of Dracula are kinda cute, lots of little homages and visual gags, everything has been over done, forced and blown out of proportions on purpose which is amusing, costumes are suitably stuffy and set the mood well, plus the casting is actually quite good.Now I know you can't expect top rate acting in a Brooks spoof but there are still some nice little performances here. The best for me being MacNicol as the whimpering stir crazy Renfield. The character does get a bit too loony tunes as the film progresses but initially I really like his stiff upper lipped Englishman when he first travels to see Dracula. The best scene must be when Renfield sits down with Dr Seward for tea and ends up eating bugs. Not only that but the pronunciation of raspberries by Harvey korman in this sequence is hilarious.Even though he has top billing the late great Nielsen wasn't the best thing here (the combination of him and Brooks together in films came too late in the day unfortunately). Bottom line Nielsen is miscast as Dracula, he doesn't look the part and he doesn't sound the part, but that's why he is perfect in the role. The fact he's completely wrong for the role makes it work, its just funny that he doesn't come across as a Dracula kind of guy and I think Nielsen knows that and uses it. Whilst watching I can't help but think Leslie is actually trying in certain scenes bless him, he does appear to actually go for it and really put on his best Lugosi/Dracula performance just for the hell of it, he's enjoying his chance in the role. End of the day only Nielsen could get away with this kind of deliberate miscasting, he was (and still is) such a popular lovable guy.Brooks himself enters the fray as Van Helsing and fits the role pretty well with his mock German, Jewish accent. In a sense he's playing the same characters as President Skroob and Frederick Bronski with similar facial hair but not as dumb. Yeah sure we've seen it all before with Brooks but if you're a fan then you won't complain. His best scene must be the stake through the heart sequence, simple but effective.I do get the impression that Brooks is merely working his way through every genre he can and this film simply ticks a box on the list...pretty much like 'Men in Tights'. I also get the feeling he is trying to recapture the same level of success he achieved with 'Young Frankenstein' and the Gothic horror genre. To be brutally honest most of the jokes have been used before in previous works but at least its not as childish as 'Men in Tights' and does offer some adult content. I won't say this parody is a great film, it doesn't really come close to previous Brooks films but its still mildly amusing and a must for fanboys.6/10

"Dracula: Dead and Loving It" is Mel Brooks' greatest/funniest film ever! Not only is the writing 100% pure genius, but every actor in the film is outstandingly perfect! Mel Brooks is the perfect Van Helsing - so believable yet so hilarious! What can be said about Leslie Nielsen that hasn't been said before? He was a comic genius! The scenery is gorgeous; the music is beautiful; the costumes are unbelievable; every scene is wonderfully perfect! (It's so nice to see a bright, colorful movie instead of the typical black/blue/gray coloring that is overused in dramatic TV and horror films today.) Not only is this movie a perfect comedy but the serious scenes (like Lucy's death) are so sad and heartfelt. Not many films can combine comic genius and deep emotion perfectly. There are so many surprises in this film - we can never tire of watching it. This is one of our very favorite, most "quoted" films ever! Every character is memorable and quotable! Peter MacNicol as Reinfeld = comic genius! Harvey Korman as Dr. Seward = comic genius! Fiancees x 5 years, Mina/Amy Yasbeck and Jonathan/Steven Weber = comic genius! Everyone involved in this film should have won Academy Awards!"Dracula: Dead and Loving It" deserves a much higher rating than 10! (We have the awesome movie poster framed in our living room!)