Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter was intended to be the introduction to as series of Captain Kronos films. Unfortunately fate had other plans for this completely underrated film. Though this movie has horror themes, I've always viewed it as more of an adventure film than a horror film. The stylized action seems slow compared to todays choppy edited action scenes, but they do not distract you from the overall enjoyment.

Given its title I expected a so-bad-its-good mess, but instead this had me thinking of Tarantino. While it doesn't expand the boundaries of what a genre film might do like Tarantino might, it does keep things unexpected, consistently and skillfully. Working with familiar stock characters, writer/director Clemens crafts a compelling film by changing the tired details of vampire lore & doing alot of his own worldbuilding (who was the blind-folded woman at the bar & why did Kronos wear the hood?)

A likeably daft British horror(ish) romp. Horst Janson as the titular lead has all the charisma of a house brick, but Munro and Cater have fun with their roles. The plotting and pacing is a bit off, and some of the dialogue is risible (knowingly?) but this is on the whole fairly well put together. The action is okay, there are some other decent touches, and it's safe to say that Hammer fans will probably like this.

"Today, irony has started to look more and more like the death knell for serious horror films, and so the relative straightforwardness of a Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter is a welcome throwback." - Eric Henderson

Filled with deft visual touches, such as the flowers that wither and die at the hooded monster's mere approach.

Outstanding horror/adventure story

It has some definite flaws- Caroline Munro's entire role is standing around, looking pretty & taking her clothes off, & Kronos is a rather one-note hero who never faces any actual danger in the whole 92 minutes- but it does manage to be entertaining despite that. The plot is pretty interesting, particularly the unique take on vampire lore it sets up, & the mystery element is intriguing if predictable. All said, it's a decent slice of UK horror that's worth seeing for avid genre fans.

More campy and comical than scary, you can feel Hammer is on the downside of their popularity and creativity. The lead is painfully boring and has no screen presence to speak of. Maybe with someone who could actually act, or maybe wield a sword, this could have been much better. And although Caroline Munro is hypnotizing to look at, she has virtually no talent whatsoever. She's eye candy, pure and simple. It's the peripheral character actors that give this film any credibility at all.

I always want to like this more than I do, but it's got a great theme song and Caroline Munroe and...

Fun adventurous vampire flick with a likable cast. The plot is kinda unfocused though, and several things are either left unanswered or just seem downright illogical.

Silly british fun.

Not bad.