VAMPIRES IN HAVANA

Director: Juan Padron
Stars: Manuel Marin, Margarita Aguero, Frank Gonzalez, Irela Bravo, Carlos Gonzalez
Year: 1985
Rating: N/R
(in Spanish w/English subtitles)

Genuinely, terrifically surprised by how much I enjoyed this film, Vampires in Havana - an animated feature film from Cuba - is a saucy, sometimes sexy and often funny story with old-fashioned animation that will remind older viewers (lovingly so) of some of the crudely-drawn but endearing cartoons they loved as a kid. And somehow, it all works very well, in story and tone and humor.

For years in Transylvania, Professor Von Dracula (a vampire himself) has been working repeatedly on a formula that will allow vampires to be out and about in the daylight. Finally thinking he's hit the right formula after it works on a test dog, a relative of the professors - Count Dracula himself - is the first to try the formula ... and, for some reason, still bursts into ashes in the sunlight. The huge goof causes nothing but ridicule and shame for the professor in the vampire community, so much so that he retreats to Cuba and obscurity, where he can continue his work in private and without the taunting of his peers.

Years later, Von Dracula has finally - and for sure - found the right formula. Turns out he's been trying it out for years on his young nephew, and sure enough the kid - now a young man - grew up without even knowing he WAS a vampire. But when Von Dracula announces to his fellow vampires around the world that he wants to give the cure to everyone for free, gangs of rival vampires from Germany and America descend on Cuba and Von Dracula, seeking instead to steal the formula and sell the finished product to their own kind for an outrageous profit.

The film is a send-up of both gangster and vampire films, winningly skewering both. If you know anything about Cuban history or politics, the film also makes its subtle points about both - but can be enjoyed just as equally by anyone without a political bone in their body. I've even read that the English subtitles on the film leave something to be desired, leaving out a lot, but I really enjoyed the film nonetheless; while definitely not for children (due to the racy humor and some nudity), who'd be bored by the crude animation anyway, sentimental adults should enjoy the trip down memory lane the animation will bring, while at the same time getting involved in the story and characters, wondering what will happen next.

I really underestimated this one, and am glad to have watched it. It's well done and a good time - and, at just 80 minutes, fast-paced and comical enough to hold your interest with ease. Give it a try (maybe on Netflix "instant watch"?) if you get a chance. *** - Reel Cool