Wes Craven's Dracula 2000

Bite me! Coming in under the millennial gun, this anemic next generation thriller should have let sleeping Draculas lie. But no, the ancient bloodsucker's coffin is opened by unwitting thieves, allowing Dracula (glowering Scottish mannequin Gerald Butler) to be resurrected in time for the Mardi Gras festivities. Also returning is Drac's old nemesis Van Helsing (Christopher Plummer, who should know better), who has been imbibing a little of the red stuff himself, and now runs an antiques business. Justine Waddell costars as Mary Heller, a--heh-heh--Virgin record store employee and Van Helsing's estranged daughter, whose nightmares about nocturnal neck-feedings are about to come true. Since leeches play a role in this film, it seems only appropriate to ponder the real nature of the executives who green-lit this vapid production. A further caution for horror buffs: Wes Craven's participation is in name only. Patrick Lussier, his Scream editor, directed. Not recommended. (K. Lee Benson)