Special FX

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2004)

A fantastic film, see the special effects and drool, and the imagination and scope of the designers on this film. I enjoyed the film throughout, not sure what age rating it will receive as there are some scenes that are rather scary and I am a 25 year old bloke!
Could have done without the James Bond style refs at the start of the film, and maybe its a tad too long, but the humour in the film balances out the scary parts of the flick. Put it this way it is a far superior film than the League of Gentlemen which is in the same genre, Coltrane's Mr Hyde is excellent compared to LoG! Jackman & Beckinsale are fine in this but don't expect any oscar nominations for either. The support Friar chap is funny, and helps tone down Van Helsings macho bravado.
All in all its not going to move arthouse film lovers in the same way that it will move popcorn movie fans. You get exactly what you expect from the posters, big special fx amazing scenery and location work, a visual feast that takes the vampire hunter film genre up a big notch or three. Look forward to the TV spin off, hope its as good as the film was.