rip roaring horror meets good natured camp

Rating: 8/10 (12 May 2006)

Hugh Jackman trys for his own action franchise with the adventurer/monster killer Gabriel Van Helsing. A man with a past he cannot recall, employed by a secret religious order to wipe out evil from the world. We first see Van Helsing going toe to toe in Paris with Mr Hyde, vicious alter ego of Dr Jeckyl. Hyde is huge and orge-like, voiced by Robbie Coltrane and done completely in CGI. I liked this movie. Hugh jackman has a highly likable screen presence ( i think if he kicked Little Red Riding Hood to death and then machine gunned Bambi i would still like him ). Kate Becknsale is very beautiful and kicks ghoulish butt with the best of 'em. Richard Roxborough makes a deliciously camp Dracula. The three actresses to play the brides of Dracula ( Silvia Colloca, Josie Maran, Elena Anya) are a standout- sexy and scary- they were quite unnerving in places, particularly with the glowing eyes and the sadistic laughter. 'Oklahoma' star Shuler Hensley made Frankenstein's monster a pitiable wretch behind the mask. David Wenham was funny as the bumbling Q- like monk who provides Van Helsing with the gadgets. The special effects were top notch, the werewolf was brilliant, and the fight between Van Helsing/werewolf and Dracual/bat thing was well done. i loved the evil little Dwergi waddling about the old castle. In short this movie has a high watchability factor, helmed by Stephen Summers ( a fan of the old RKO horror movies) with evident affection for the movies he spoofs, putting plenty of 'in-jokes' for fans to spot. I recommend it to anyone who likes action adventures with heart and humour.