the 1991 was a faithful adaptation with Dan Curtis at the helm. From what I've seen of the trailers, the movie is too comedic and doesn't have the same spirit at all. That's just my opinion of course but it's how I feel. I don't think one can adequately compare the 1991 series to this film since despite a few changes in regards to the original, the revival was a lush, Gothic romance
From what I've heard in the snippets made available, Elfman's score is packed with Cobert's style, and some of Cobert's themes are used verbatim. There is way, way, way more of Cobert than I had even dreamed there'd be...
To be honest, I'm beginning to think that he might actually keep his secret largely intact to people he doesn't intend to bite.
[spoiler]Julia does know Barnabas is a vampire, and probably pretty early on judging from the scene the showed.[/spoiler]
I also thought it was hilarious that Depp got to utter probably the second most famous Barnabas line (behind "You've betrayed me!") when he said "Nevermind that now..."