ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 23, 1995 TAG: 9512250034
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
To place "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" within the spectrum of Mel Brooks' films, it's much better than his most recent, "Robin Hood: Men In Tights," but not nearly as good as his other horror spoof, the brilliant "Young Frankenstein."
Brooks - who produced, directed, co-wrote and starred - goes back to the original 1931 Bela Lugosi film for most of his jokes and the plot and even the impressive sets. He also tosses in references to England's Hammer films and Francis Ford Coppola's baroque adaptation of Bram Stoker's story. The result will probably be more fun for horror movie fans than for those expecting something livelier in the "Airplane"-"Naked Gun" vein.
Leslie Nielsen is actually fairly restrained as Dracula, particularly when he's sharing the screen with Peter MacNicol as the insect-eating Renfield. MacNicol does a terrific impersonation and parody of Dwight Frye, who played the role with Lugosi. Brooks is Van Helsing to Harvey Korman's Dr. Seward. Amy Yasbeck and Lysette Anthony are properly fetching as Mina and Lucy. Steven Weber, as the gallant Harker, is the butt of several jokes.
The humor is mostly physical with some bits involving grotesque spurts of blood. But if the reaction at one Friday matinee was typical, the younger members of the audience loved it. They seemed to pick up on the references to the original, and to enjoy the comic dance numbers.
Even if Brooks' more outrageous sense of humor is missing here, his genuine affection for old movies shows through, and it could turn "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" into a minor hit in this competitive season.
Dracula: Dead and Loving It *** 1/2
A Castle Rock release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View 6. 85 min. Rated PG-13 for comic violence, sexual references.
LENGTH: Short : 43 linesby CNB