Vampires in Havana

Rating:
Summary: A colorful vampiric satire
Review: "Vampires in Havana," written and directed by Juan Padron, is a marvelous animated horror-comedy. The version I have seen is in Spanish, with English subtitles. The story revolves around a vampire scientist who has invented a formula--"Vampisol"--that gives vampires immunity from the deadly rays of the sun. The professor's nephew Joseph, who is the successful "guinea pig" for the experimental formula, finds himself in the middle of a war between rival vampire factions that have an interest in Vampisol.

Bawdy, outrageous, and witty, "Vampires in Havana" effectively spoofs the conventions of vampire films while, at the same time, creating a marvelously multilayered portrait of an international vampire subculture. Artificial indoor vampire beaches, vampire dogs, and other wacky elements are effectively blended into the plot. Capitalistic greed and authoritarian violence are cleverly satirized in the film. Excellent vocal performances, a terrific musical soundtrack, and a charmingly crude animation technique all add to the film's appeal. If you're in the mood for something really offbeat, check out this film.

Rating:
Summary: An absolute must!
Review: "Vampiros en La Habana" is among the funniest movies I've seen. The plot, the language, and the music are remarkable. I have seen it about 10 times and will now buy the video, it is an absolute must!! The characters are candid, witty, downright hilarious at times, and adorable. Don't hesitate, go see it!! get it!! whatever, just don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: A colorful vampiric satire
Review: "Vampires in Havana," written and directed by Juan Padron, is a marvelous animated horror-comedy. The version I have seen is in Spanish, with English subtitles. The story revolves around a vampire scientist who has invented a formula--"Vampisol"--that gives vampires immunity from the deadly rays of the sun. The professor's nephew Joseph, who is the successful "guinea pig" for the experimental formula, finds himself in the middle of a war between rival vampire factions that have an interest in Vampisol.

Bawdy, outrageous, and witty, "Vampires in Havana" effectively spoofs the conventions of vampire films while, at the same time, creating a marvelously multilayered portrait of an international vampire subculture. Artificial indoor vampire beaches, vampire dogs, and other wacky elements are effectively blended into the plot. Capitalistic greed and authoritarian violence are cleverly satirized in the film. Excellent vocal performances, a terrific musical soundtrack, and a charmingly crude animation technique all add to the film's appeal. If you're in the mood for something really offbeat, check out this film.

Rating:
Summary: An absolute must!
Review: "Vampiros en La Habana" is among the funniest movies I've seen. The plot, the language, and the music are remarkable. I have seen it about 10 times and will now buy the video, it is an absolute must!! The characters are candid, witty, downright hilarious at times, and adorable. Don't hesitate, go see it!! get it!! whatever, just don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: An absolute must!
Review: "Vampiros en La Habana" is among the funniest movies I've seen. The plot, the language, and the music are remarkable. I have seen it about 10 times and will now buy the video, it is an absolute must!! The characters are candid, witty, downright hilarious at times, and adorable. Don't hesitate, go see it!! get it!! whatever, just don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: Sergio Aragones meets Ralph Bakshi!
Review: Although it has usually been pretty hard to find, this is a must-see for animation enthusiasts. A young jazz player, caught up in the Cuban revolution, has grown up unaware that he is, in fact, a vampire. He soon gets caught between opposing clans of European and American vampires, giving Juan Padron the opportunity to spoof virtually every ethnicity he can think of. The sheer whackiness of it all, combined with the strikingly original animation style and hot Latin jazz soundtrack, keeps the stereotyping from offending most. However, this is NOT a movie for staunch anti-communists. Not for kids either. If you're neither of the above, this is some highly entertaining stuff.

Rating:
Summary: Where's the Communism?
Review: I was able to see this film years ago, on a line-ridden bootleg copy, and was immediately able to appreciate the witty, razor-sharp comedy in the movie. Being fluent in Spanish - not only book-learned, but the Cuban dialect with all it's inherently funny inflections - was a definite plus, as much of the comedy comes from spoofing the amalgalm of cultures the Caribbean in general and Cuba in particular find living within their borders.

Josef, apparently an east European raised in the slums of Cuba by his mad scientist uncle, learns upon coming of age he is a vampire, just like his uncle. His uncle has developed 'Vampi-Sol' a type of elixir which would allow vampires to stroll about in full daylight, and European and Chicago gangster-style vampires are all after it. Wackiness then ensues!

As for communist or pro-communist messages. . .well, perhaps I was so busy laughing out loud I may have missed them, or they simply weren't there (Yes, yes, I know this film is made in Cuba and must have SOME communist content, but nothing I could perceive).

Rating:
Summary: Where's the Communism?
Review: I was able to see this film years ago, on a line-ridden bootleg copy, and was immediately able to appreciate the witty, razor-sharp comedy in the movie. Being fluent in Spanish - not only book-learned, but the Cuban dialect with all it's inherently funny inflections - was a definite plus, as much of the comedy comes from spoofing the amalgalm of cultures the Caribbean in general and Cuba in particular find living within their borders.

Josef, apparently an east European raised in the slums of Cuba by his mad scientist uncle, learns upon coming of age he is a vampire, just like his uncle. His uncle has developed 'Vampi-Sol' a type of elixir which would allow vampires to stroll about in full daylight, and European and Chicago gangster-style vampires are all after it. Wackiness then ensues!

As for communist or pro-communist messages. . .well, perhaps I was so busy laughing out loud I may have missed them, or they simply weren't there (Yes, yes, I know this film is made in Cuba and must have SOME communist content, but nothing I could perceive).

Rating:
Summary: Excelente pelicula de muñequitos cubanos. :O)
Review: Me acuerdo muy bien del dia que vi esta pelicula en Cuba por los años 1985 o 1986, yo tenia unos 11 o 12 años de edad. Fuí al cine con un grupo de amigos a verla, casi nos morimos de la risa de lo tan comica que estaba la pelicula, estubimos casi todo el tiempo riendonos. Muy buena pelicula animada cubana acerca de 'vampiros' y no vampiros que vivian en la Habana por los años 1950s. "Vampiros en la Habana" es una pelicula muy comica y divertida con el humor y chispa cubana a todo meter.
La recomiendo a todo cubano en general y a todo caribeño. Y a todo el mundo que se quiera mear de la risa.

Rating:
Summary: Excelente pelicula de muñequitos cubanos. :O)
Review: Me acuerdo muy bien del dia que vi esta pelicula en Cuba por los años 1985 o 1986, yo tenia unos 11 o 12 años de edad. Fuí al cine con un grupo de amigos a verla, casi nos morimos de la risa de lo tan comica que estaba la pelicula, estubimos casi todo el tiempo riendonos. Muy buena pelicula animada cubana acerca de 'vampiros' y no vampiros que vivian en la Habana por los años 1950s. "Vampiros en la Habana" es una pelicula muy comica y divertida con el humor y chispa cubana a todo meter.
La recomiendo a todo cubano en general y a todo caribeño. Y a todo el mundo que se quiera mear de la risa.