This updated version of the classic vampire myth has a lot going for it: stunning New Orleans locations, a touch of class from veteran actor Christopher Plummer and horror master Wes Craven as executive producer. Funny, then, that it's such a workaday film - functional, but hardly inspired or inspiring.

Plummer plays vampire hunter Van Helsing, living in quiet obscurity in London with Miller as his antique-dealing assistant Simon. Meanwhile, his daughter Mary (Waddell) is working in Virgin Records (get the joke?) in New Orleans.

When someone breaks into Van Helsing's closely guarded, mysterious safe and steals a priceless silver coffin, the race is on to get across the Atlantic to Mary before someone, or something, can get its sharp, pointy teeth into her.

There's plenty of whizz-bang gadgetry and loud rock music (courtesy of Marilyn Manson and Pantera), but few thrills or shocks to the system. This is because the audience always stays one step ahead of the plot, which spoils the surprise factor.

There are the obligatory in-jokes and some nifty dialogue (a sexy vampiress tells Simon: 'I just want to suck'), but the film takes an age to get into its groove.

That said, Gerard Butler makes a dishy bloodsucker when he finally manages to rattle and roll his way out of his coffin. But even when he does appear in all his black-clad glory and indulges in some rather wild sex hovering just below the ceiling, the film fails to shift into top gear.

They've added a new twist to this old tale, but it's so heavily signposted you get to it long before the film does - and if you don't, it's helpfully replayed in flashback. The ending seems to have been stolen from Blade Runner and highlights the film's lack of ambition. Drac may be back, but he's past his sell-by date.

Now rating: 2 stars (out of 5)

The Buzz on Dracula 2001

After playing Dracula, former law student Gerard Butler is being tipped as the next James Bond. The producers of the 007 movies want to replace Pierce Brosnan with someone closer to the most fondly remembered of all Bonds - Sean Connery. And Scottish star Gerard, who's best known to UK audiences for his role as Billy Connolly's brother in Mrs Brown, is the man thought to be heading their list. Coincidentally, he's already played a minor role in an earlier James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

It's not the first time veteran actor Christopher Plummer has played the vampire hunter Van Helsing. He was also Dracula's arch-rival in the little-seen 1986 movie Nosferatu In Venice.
'My immediate reaction when they offered me this part was: "Good, is there a lot of money in it?"' he says. 'My second reaction was: "I've done it before, so why not again?" I love the story. The Dracula myth is a classic and I can't get enough of it.'

South African-born Justine Waddell has built her career in period dramas such as Great Expectations and Tess of the D'Urbervilles. She says the joy of working on Dracula was that it's set in modern times. 'The great advantage is that it takes half as long to get dressed in the morning and it's certainly easier to breathe without a corset,' she says.

Gerard Butler joins a distinguished list of actors who've played Dracula over the years. Since Max Schreck's classic performance in the 1922 film Nosferatu The Vampire, Christopher Lee, John Carradine, Bela Lugosi, Jack Palance, Lon Chaney Jnr, George Hamilton, David Niven, Louis Jourdan, Leslie Nielsen, Gary Oldman and even Louise Fletcher are among those who've sunk their teeth into the role.

Jonny Lee Miller and Justine Waddell last worked together two years ago on the Jane Austen costume drama Mansfield Park, in which they play brother and sister.

· Although the film begins in Van Helsing's London office, you'd be pushed to find the building where it was shot. All the London scenes were filmed on location in Toronto, Canada.

Fraser Massey

For more info, visit the film's official website at www.thefilmfactory.co.uk/dracula2000/

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