Robert Pattinson. What is there not to like? Whether you like his acting or his legs, you can’t deny he is pretty much perfect in every way. He has that certain je ne sais quoi that makes him so likeable and lovable. But what is it that makes him so unique?
You see, it wasn’t until recently that vampires became popular on-screen. Before then, vampires were mostly seen in literary works or historical dramas. It was only in the last few years that Hollywood decided to give us our own answers to the question of “what is a vampire”. And how could they possibly answer it? By making the perfect romantic lead a vampire!
It seems like Hollywood has a type. Not just any type, but a specifically made-for-Hollywood type. They decided that vampires needed to fit a certain mold in order to work in their movies. So without further ado, here are the top 10 best movie vampires of all time – with Robert Pattinson.
10. Charlize Theron as Sheba – Aeon Flux
There isn’t much that you need to know about Sheba other than the fact that she is a vampire and a warrior. Theron gives a wonderful performance as Sheba, a character that is both tough and feminine.
While her beauty and sex appeal are quite prominent in the movie, it is Theron’s performance that will leave an impression on you. Sheba is a hardened vigilante who takes her job of hunting down dangerous criminals very seriously. However, she has a softer side too which she hides from the world. She is a loving mother who cares for her young son, Bentley (Toby Kebbell).
While it would have been great to see more of the world that Sheba inhabits, what you get is more than enough. Theron makes the character so real and raw that you easily believe in her as a force to be reckoned with. The character was originally created for comics before making her cinematic debut in Aeon Flux. And considering how well-received the movie was, it is evident that she accomplished her goal of making the character more relatable to mainstream audiences.
9. Kristen Stewart as Buffy – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy is the vampire slayer. Or at least that is what she believes herself to be. She is the everywoman’s slayer. You know, the girl next door who will fight off any vampire that threatens to turn your friends and loved ones into bloodsuckers.
Stewart gives an award-worthy performance as Buffy. She is both tough and smart, and also has this inner strength that makes her likeable. The character is a mixture of different roles. Sometimes she is a damsel in distress, other times she is the one leading the charge. Regardless, Stewart always makes you believe in her as the capable and independent heroine that she is.
What is great about Buffy is that it doesn’t just feature Stewart’s acting talents. The Buffy comics were (and still are) written by the excellent David F. W. Bush. And what is one of the major differences between the movie and the comics? The cinematic version features a lot more action sequences!
What is more, these action scenes are not just limited to fighting off demons – there is also a great deal of violence against human beings too. Sometimes it is the other vampires – the big bads of the series – who try to kill Buffy and her friends and family. Other times it is the humans themselves who are the antagonists. This feature was quite a shock to fans of the original comics who were expecting a PG rating – this version is more suitable for adults only!
8. Ed Harris as Van Helsing – Van Helsing
Van Helsing is a very traditional vampire character. He is powerful, sexy, and incredibly skilled in combat. He is also a handsome man who knows how to treat a lady. Or at least how to act the part.
Harris gives a very commanding performance as Van Helsing. He is the epitome of a leading man, and also someone who knows how to treat a woman right. The actor is best known for his roles in films such as The Mask and Chuck Floyd. His portrayal of Van Helsing is quite the contrast to the earlier versions of the character, who wore tights and had a more childlike appearance. Harris brings a more sophisticated charm to the character, making him much more appealing and realistic. He also makes the character much more interesting to watch too.
Van Helsing is a fictional adaptation of the famous character Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The character featured in the movie was originally created for the 1938 short story “The Hyde Organization” by Robert Louis Stevenson. The character of Van Helsing was first adapted to the screen in a 1939 film Van Helsing. This version of the character was portrayed by Wolff Walter, and it was quite a memorable performance. It was the first time the legendary Jack Lockjaw had been seen on-screen.
The character was popular enough that he appeared in two more films – a 1939 film The Joker and a 1942 film Revenge of the Vampire. However, it wasn’t until a decade later that he would really make his mark in Hollywood. In fact, it was only in the 1950s that he would become a truly legendary character.
7. Heath Ledger as The Joker – The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight is the culmination of all that is great about comic book adaptations. Most notably, The Joker – played to perfection by Heath Ledger – is one of the greatest villains of all time. He is not just an impressive physical specimen, but a brilliant actor as well. What is more, he almost completely immerses you into his world. It is one of the greatest performances of all time, and it is a shame that it got overshadowed by Ledger’s tragic death.
As great as the character and the performance are, it is not enough to simply praise them. Christopher Nolan, who directed the film, and Screenwriter Sam Miller also had a hand in creating the greatest comic book villain of all time. There is also a great deal of talent behind the camera too, as the cinematography by Simon Loroy is breathtaking. There is so much going on in this film that it is easy to get distracted, but that is a compliment, as Ledger’s performance and The Joker’s world are the main focus of the film. It was a very bold choice to make the main character a villain, and the fact that it worked so well is proof that it was the right call. Ledger’s The Joker is just one of the many memorable characters that The Dark Knight contains. The performance is essential to the film’s success and leaves a lasting impression on viewers, which is something that any great villain or comic book adaptation should strive for.
6. Gary Oldman as Dracula – Dracula 2000
When it comes to Dracula, the list is pretty much impossible to make. There have been countless movies and TV shows – both fictional and non-fictional – that have featured Dracula. And yet, it is hard to find a bad Dracula performance. Gary Oldman gave what is arguably the best performance of his career as Count Dracula in Dracula 2000. Or at least, that is what the critics and audiences thought. Oldman’s performance alone is worth the price of admission. Plus, you get to see a great deal of Jonathan Ross’ body – which is pretty awesome given the circumstances. It is basically the cinematic equivalent of seeing all of Dracula’s victims at once.