Dracula II: Ascension is another addition to a long line of poorly-made Dracula movies with the attachment of several elements. Over time, Dracula has been physically depicted in numerous ways. Traditionally, Dracula is a pale-skinned man with short and slick black hair. In his various forms, however, Dracula's hair length has increased and become wavy or decreased to baldness. In Dracula II - which is actually the sequel to Dracula 2000 and does not utilize its sequel's depiction - the vampire is given a complete makeover. Somewhere during the burning of his crucified body, he has apparently contracted a second disease: albinism. Though his eyes are still hypnotically multi-hued, Dracula's ultimate Aryan and melanin-drained form is completely unnecessary and unhelpful to the story. The explanation offered in the story is that Dracula's physical appearance changes with each regeneration. To any discerning viewer, however, this is obviously a poor excuse to throw an underappreciated genetic disease into the mix, thus increasing his status as a villain. Furthermore, Dracula II reveals that the vampire is cursed with the compulsion to count every grain of sand he comes across and untie every knot he finds. These requirements he meets with supernatural ability when they become hindrances, but Dracula is bound to perform nonetheless.
As an oculocutaneous albino with an obsessive-compulsive disorder, I am supremely insulted to find Dracula himself added to the list of villainous characters with these unfavorably-depicted conditions. Like a vampire, I too am cursed by an aversion to direct sunlight, and I too must fulfill reoccurring impulses that may seem illogical. In the formulation of vampire mythology, it is likely that individuals with such conditions were exaggerated to absurdly mythic proportions, but that is not something I want to experience in modern times. Are people as superstitious today as a millennium ago, or have we achieved something better than childish scapegoatism? The MPAA rating for this movie is R for violence, language, and sexuality, but maybe enforcing prejudices should be granted its own category. I give this movie one star for encouraging barbaric and senseless hatred among fellow men. If you have ever known an albino - oculocutaneous or otherwise - or obsessive-compulsive, support me in condemning such hate-inspiring filth.
