Full Moon was infamous for making cheaper versions of blockbuster films for the direct-to-video market in the 90s. They have since moved on to Killer Bongs and Killer Cookies, leaving the market open for low budget Hollywood knockoffs. The Asylum has since filled the void releasing such classics as Titanic 2, Almighty Thor and Nazis at the Center of the Earth.
The Asylum’s latest film Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies is set for a May 22 release. That’s exactly one month before Seth Grahame-Smith’s highly anticipated Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is set to hit theaters.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is based on the popular book with the same name, and is the follow-up to Smith’s best selling Pride and Predjudice and Zombies. Here is a side-by-sode comparison of both versions.
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Abraham Lincoln: Benjamin Walker vs. Bill Oberst Jr.
Vampire Hunter Walker appeared in Flags of Our Fathers, while Zombie Hunter Oberst is the cyber-stalker in Jason Zada’s viral Facebook application Take This Lollipop. I think it’s quite clear which is a superior feat of acting: the terrifying facebook stalking.
Edge: Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies
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Director: Timur Bekmambetov vs. Richard Schenkman
Vampire Hunter is directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the director of Night Watch and Day Watch. Lincoln Vs. Zombies is directed by Richard Schenkman who directed the awful Man From Earth starring Tony Todd and William Kat. Despite being over-stylized, Bekmambetov has proven himself as being very competent in the director’s chair. I’m surprised Schenkman still has a career.
Edge: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
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Monster: Vampires vs. Zombies
No contest! Vampires suck!
Edge: Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies
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Female Lead: Mary Elizabeth Winstead vs. Baby Norman
Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) plays Mary Todd Lincoln. Norman (Bimbo #1 in Kathy T) plays Lincoln’s old crush Mary Owens. The winner is the actress whose previous roles weren’t being the first bimbo.
Edge: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
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Supporting Actor: Jefferson Davis vs. Stonewall Jackson
John Rothman as Davis and Don McGraw as Jackson. Since I have no idea who McGraw is, Rothman wins this one.
Edge: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
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Plot:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - President Lincoln’s mother is killed by a supernatural creature, which fuels his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers.
Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies - While the Civil War rages on, President Lincoln must undertake an even more daunting task; Destroying the Confederate Undead.
Lincoln becoming Batman to fight vampires sounds lame. Lincoln fighting the Confederate Undead sounds awesome.
Edge: Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies
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Overall:
I enjoyed Night Watch because at the time of its release it seemed unique. The heroes didn’t dress in spandex and leather, and everything wasn’t blue. However, Bekmambetov seems to have one style, and that style is prevalent in the Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter trailer, which looks atrocious. The bad action scenes remind me of Priest or Underworld, and Walker is no Kate Beckinsale. It’s pretty obvious Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is probably going to suck.
Asylum films are hit and miss, but they are mostly misses. They’re great at creating titles like 2-Headed Shark Attack, but the movies normally fall flat. Their best flick was the Will Smith I Am Legend inspired I Am Omega starring the Iron Chef Mark Dacascos. That was at least directed by Griff Furst, who has had some previous filmmaking experience. Schenkman’s track record isn’t impressive and the cast is unknown. Why isn’t C. Thomas Howell in this?
Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies seems hard to screw up even with no budget. Oberst is an intimidating Lincoln and the zombie makeup looks impressive. I have my fingers crossed that this will be Asylum’s first home run.
Edge: Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies
Widescreen Presentation, 5.1 Surround Sound, Making of Featurette
Holy Christ, this is for real?! I’m gonna resist commenting. That is all.
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As the casting director for Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, I can tell you that despite the unknown status of most of our cast, this movie is going to be awesome! Everyone chosen brings a special element to the movie and our leading roles (specifically Baby Norman and Don McGraw) will be fan favorites. Baby just posted her photos on IMDB, so check her out. Don McGraw is a seasoned stage actor but this is only his second film. He is an amazing actor that will help make this a cult classic. Look for Jason Vail as John Wilkes Booth and newcomers Ron Ogden, Phil Parham, Anthony Paderewski, Raed Ali, Chris Whitley, Nathaniel Grauwelman, Jason Hughley, Shane Gray, Eric Galloway, Chip Lane, and Stephen Martin as Lincoln’s secret service agents. Christopher Marrone and Sean Freeland round out the Confederates. Mary Owen’s daughter Sophia is played by Hannah Bryan. The two boys in the movie, Young Teddy Roosevelt is played by Canon Kuipers and Young Abe Lincoln is played by Brennen Harper. Look for lots of fun and some serious zombie butt kicking!
Although Baby Norman and Don McGraw are not ‘known’ actors, you will be suprised and pleased by their performances. The film Aberaham Lincoln VS Zombies is loaded with great local southern actors that will more than match their hollywood counterparts. And director and writter Richard Shenkman will in true Zombie fasion, make you eat your words.
I was onset to see quite a bit of filming, as well as being an extra, this film may have as you put it an unknown cast, but quite a few have been on some good shows, and did an excellent job in this film. Bill Obersts portrayal of Lincoln is unmatched, and was quite moving in some scenes. As for Richard Shenkman, he did a wonderful job with the actors, and knew exactly how he wanted the scenes and actors, as well as working with them to develop their own characters. I think this film may surpass any vampire hunting film and will stand out on its own.